Former comedian Russell Brand has pleaded not guilty to charges of rape and sexual assault at Southwark Crown Court. The 49-year-old arrived at court earlier on Friday (May 30) to enter his plea.
He had appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court earlier in the month where he was told of the allegations against him. The charges include one count each of rape, indecent assault and oral rape, as well as two counts of sexual assault, relating to four separate women.
It is alleged that he raped a woman in a hotel room when she was at a Labour Party conference. Another allegation accuses him of grabbing a television worker’s breasts before pulling her into a toilet and orally raping her.
(Image: Wiktor Szymanowicz/Future Publishing via Getty Images)
One radio station worker alleges that the former actor grabbed her face, pushed her against a wall and kissed her before groping her. And another alleged victim has claimed Russell grabbed her arm and tried to drag her into a male toilet.
The allegations date from 1999 to 2005. He has consistently denied any wrongdoing. He will stand trial on June 3, 2026 at Southwark Crown Court.
Russell was charged by post last month. The charges came after a joint investigation from Channel 4 and the Sunday Times, which included allegations from several women.
Det Supt Andy Furphy, from the Met police, said at the time: “The women who have made reports continue to receive support from trained officers. The Met’s investigation remains open and detectives ask anyone who has been affected by this case, or anyone who has any information, to come forward.”
The statement from Scotland Yard went on: “A team of investigators is available via email at CIT@met.police.uk. Support is also available by contacting the 24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line.”
(Image: Getty Images)
Jaswant Narwal, representing the CPS, stated: “We have today authorised the Metropolitan Police to charge Russell Brand with a number of sexual offences.”
The decision comes after the CPS conducted a thorough review of the evidence gathered during a police investigation, sparked by allegations made in the wake of a Channel 4 documentary which aired in September 2023.
Narwal added: “We have concluded that Russell Brand should be charged with offences including rape, sexual assault and indecent assault. These relate to reported non-recent offences between 1999 and 2005, involving four women.”
The CPS also said: “The Crown Prosecution Service reminds everyone that criminal proceedings are active, and the defendant has the right to a fair trial.
“It is extremely important that there be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”
Last year, Brand strongly denied any wrongdoing after The Sunday Times and Channel 4 Dispatches ran a joint investigation into the allegations, claiming that all his relationships had been consensual.
He previously said on X, in front of his 11.2million followers, that he wanted the opportunity to prove his innocence.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
