Russell Brand arrived at Westminster Magistrates’ Court charged with sexual offences including rape.
The 49-year-old comedian and actor was charged with rape, indecent assault and sexual assault in April. The charges relate to four separate women and the alleged crimes span from 1999 to 2005.
The actor has been interviewed by police on multiple occasions over a number of sex offence allegations. Brand has always denied the “very serious” allegations, claiming all his relationships were “always consensual”.
The Met Police investigation followed Channel 4’s Dispatches documentary in September 2023, which revealed a number of serious sex allegations against Brand. It was a joint investigation between Channel 4, the Times and the Sunday Times.
(Image: Getty Images)
Brand appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London on Friday morning (May 2) for a pre-trial hearing. He emerged from his car and was seen walking slowly into court surrounded by a large crowd of onlookers, members of the press and photographers.
The comedian wore a black denim shirt, left slightly unbuttoned, and a pair of black jeans with a brown belt. Police had to be on hand to keep the crowd away from the actor as he approached the entrance of the court.
Last month, the Met Police announced that Brand has been charged with one count of rape, one of indecent assault, one of oral rape and two counts of sexual assault. The force alleges that in 1999, Brand raped a woman in the Bournemouth area.
(Image: PA)
In 2001, it’s alleged he indecently assaulted a woman in the Westminster area of London. He’s accused of orally raping and sexually assaulting a woman in the Westminster area, and of sexually assaulting a woman in the Westminster area between 2004 and 2005.
The Met Police’s detective superintendent Andy Furphy, leading the investigation, said: “The women who have made reports continue to receive support from specially 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 and speak with police.
(Image: Getty Images)
“A dedicated team of investigators is available via email at CIT@met.police.uk. Support is also available by contacting the independent charity, Rape Crisis at 24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line.”
In a video posted on X after he was charged, Brand said: “I am now going to have the opportunity to defend these charges in court, and I’m incredibly grateful for that.”
Jaswant Narwal, from the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “We have today authorised the Metropolitan Police to charge Russell Brand with a number of sexual offences. We carefully reviewed the evidence after a police investigation into allegations made following the broadcast of a Channel 4 documentary in September 2023.
“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 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.”
If you’ve been the victim of sexual assault, you can access help and resources via www.rapecrisis.org.uk or calling the national telephone helpline on 0808 802 9999.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
