Prosecutors describe Russell Brand as a sexual predator

Prosecutors have described British actor and comedian Russell Brand as a ruthless sexual predator who sexually abused six women despite their protestations.

Mr Brand, aged 51, once one of Britain's ⁠most high-profile broadcasters, faces three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of indecent assault relating to six women from 1999 to 2009.

He denies all the accusations.

"Today I feel blessed," he said as he arrived at London's Southwark Crown Court.

"I feel of course concerned but hopeful that this process will lead to good outcomes for everybody involved."

Opening the case against him, prosecutor ‌Riel Karmy-Jones said that regardless ⁠of who the women were or what they said or did, he was not deterred in targeting them.

"Some of the women involved protested and said no, others had no opportunity to react to his advances but it mattered not to the defendant," she said.

"His desire, his strong ‌desire, for some form of sexual contact was indiscriminate and voracious," she said.

"He could be nice when he wanted to ⁠be, funny - undoubtedly - charming, likeable even - when he wanted something in return.

"But ‌then demanding, entitled, a flirt with a huge sexual appetite, child-like in ⁠his expectation ‌that his every desire should be met.

"He was ruthless, he was calculating, he was manipulative and, the prosecution say, he was a sexual predator."

The trial is expected to last about six weeks.