Producer Weinstein to face trial charged with two counts of rape

HARVEY WEINSTEIN will face trial after being charged with rape.

The film producer, making his first public appearance since October, spoke only to confirm he understood the charges which involve two separate women.

It is the first time Weinstein has faced criminal charges since an avalanche of accusations – including from some of Hollywood’s biggest stars – first emerged last year, sparking the international MeToo and Time’s Up movements.

Earlier yesterday morning Weinstein had turned himself over to police in New York to face the charges.

Wearing a black suit, white shirt and blue jumper and

appearing to stumble slightly, he clutched two books, Something Wonderful: Rodgers And Hammerstein’s Broadway Revolution,

by Todd S Purdum, and Richard Schickel’s biography of producer, director and writer Elia Kazan.

Some 90 minutes later he left the NYPD’s 1st Precinct handcuffed and smiling as he was escorted to court.

He was charged with two counts of rape – one in the first degree and another in the third degree – and one count of a criminal sexual act for alleged incidents involving two separate women. Weinstein has repeatedly denied any allegations of non-consensual sex and intends to plead not guilty, his lawyer Benjamin Brafman said outside court.

Inside, the former Hollywood mogul raised his eyebrows as Manhattan assistant attorney Joan Illuzzi-Orbon said: “This defendant used his position, money and power to lure young women into situations where he was able to violate them sexually.”

He posted a one-million-dollar (£751,060) cash bail and will wear an electronic monitor which tracks his movements 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The 66-year-old also surrendered his passport and agreed to stay within the states of New York and Connecticut.

Speaking after the hearing, Brafman took a swipe at the MeToo and Time’s Up movements as he pledged to “move very quickly to dismiss these charges”.