Subscribe to The Crime Desk for an exclusive catch-up episode on the key moments from week one of Russell Brand's rape trial

Every week, the Daily Mail's award-winning Trial podcast team rounds up the key moments from Russell Brand's rape trial at Southwark Crown Court.

Hosted by veteran court reporters Caroline Cheetham and Liz Hull, The Brand Breakdown will get you up to speed on all the claims and counter-claims as the case unfolds.

Comedian, actor and wellness guru Brand, 51, faces three counts of rape, three of sexual assault and one of indecent assault relating to alleged offences against six women between 1999 and 2009, all of which he denies.

Week one saw the prosecution open its case, branding Brand a 'ruthless' sexual predator, before the first two of six women gave evidence from behind screens.

One alleged he raped her in a hotel room at the 1999 Labour Party conference; the other claimed he tried to drag her into a toilet at MTV's offices in 2001.

In tense cross-examinations, Brand's barrister Ian Winter KC challenged both accounts, suggesting the first encounter was consensual and the second a 'minor incident'.

The Brand Breakdown is available exclusively to subscribers of The Crime Desk. Join now to start listening. 

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