Russell Brand has pleaded not guilty to fresh charges of rape and sexual assault

Russell Brand has pleaded not guilty to fresh charges of rape and sexual assault.The 50-year-old, who is based in Florida, was at Southwark Crown Court this morning to deny the offences, which relate to alleged incidents in 2009.He is alleged to have raped a woman sometime between February 7 and March 1 and to have sexually assaulted another between August 31 and December 1.Brand, who flew back from the US for the hearing, spoke only to confirm his name and to enter his not guilty pleas from the dock.He is due to face trial later this year in relation to the charges.