Weinstein denies rape and sexual assault charges as his trial starts

HARVEY WEINSTEIN has arrived at a New York court for the start of his rape trial.

The 67-year-old movie producer denies the charges but faces the possibility of life in prison if convicted.

Weinstein’s accusers include some well-known actresses who plan to give evidence or attend the trial and others who are looking to the case for a form of justice because their allegations have not resulted in criminal charges.

The charges relate to two allegations: that Weinstein raped a woman in a Manhattan hotel room in 2013 and sexually assaulted a different woman in his Manhattan apartment in 2006.

Backed by expected evidence from four other accusers, prosecutors will attempt to portray Weinstein as a monster who used his power to ingratiate himself with women, sometimes promising a film role or other career advancement, before sexually assaulting or raping them.

Weinstein’s lawyers will point to “dozens and dozens and dozens of loving emails to Mr Weinstein” they say show he and some of his accusers were in consenting relationships.

Defence lawyer Damon

Cheronis has said some of the women “also bragged about being in a sexual relationship with him”.

After opening statements, prosecutors are expected to call a former member of the board of directors at Weinstein’s old movie studio to give evidence about how the company handled allegations against him.

Weinstein’s trial could take more than a month, Judge James Burke said.

Once the New York trial is over, Weinstein faces additional rape and sexual assault charges in Los Angeles.