Russell Brand’s rape and sexual assault trial opened in London, with prosecutors accusing the comedian and actor of being “ruthless and calculated” in pursuing sexual encounters. Brand faces three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of indecent assault involving six women and alleged incidents dating from 1999 to 2009. He has pleaded not guilty and denies all charges. Prosecutors allege the six women came forward independently and described separate incidents, including alleged rape, unwanted sexual touching and assaults. The accusations range from an alleged rape in a hotel room in 1999 to an alleged incident in 2009 in which a woman says Brand ignored her request to stop during sex. Prosecutors also cited testimony from a former friend who claimed Brand once talked about wanting to sleep with 5,000 women and discussed ways to achieve that goal. Brand appeared at Southwark Crown Court with his wife, Laura Gallacher, and told reporters he was concerned but hopeful the process would lead to good outcomes. When questioned by police, prosecutors said, Brand maintained that he had never engaged in nonconsensual sexual activity and suggested the allegations had been invented or imagined following media reports. His defense will present its case later in the trial, which is expected to last six weeks. The allegations remain unproven, and the jury will determine the outcome.