Russell Brand Pleads Not Guilty to Charges of Rape and Sexual Assault in London Court Hearing

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Russell Brand has pleaded not guilty to charges of rape and sexual assault.

On Friday, the comedian and actor stood before London’s Southwark Crown Court, denying all five charges brought against him, which include one rape charge, one indecent assault charge, one oral rape charge, and two additional sexual assault counts. The accusations involve four different women, with the incidents taking place between 1999 and 2005.

The 49-year-old will now face a trial, which due to court delays won’t begin June 3, 2026.

Arriving on a chilly Friday morning, Brand stepped out wearing a casual ensemble consisting of sunglasses, an open pin-striped shirt, a jacket, and skinny jeans. Accompanying him was his lawyer, Oliver Schneider-Sikorsky – the legal mind who had skillfully defended Kevin Spacey against sexual assault charges in 2023.

In the beginning of April, the Metropolitan Police in London filed charges against the brand, stemming from an investigation that started back in September 2023.

Initially, he made his court appearance at Westminster Magistrates Court on May 2nd. The principal magistrate authorized his release on bail, given the gravity of the accusations, and transferred the case to London’s Central Criminal Court. Later, the location was shifted to the Crown Court, which served as the venue for Spacey’s trial approximately two years prior.

Initially when accusations were levied against him, Brand (who currently resides in the US) responded on his social media platforms by denying the claims, a stance he’s maintained ever since they surfaced.

In my younger, unmarried days, prior to having a spouse and family, I was quite reckless, living a life devoid of wisdom before finding guidance from the Lord. I struggled with drug addiction, compulsive sexual behavior, and often lacked common sense,” he stated in a video. “However, I must clarify that I have never been a rapist. I’ve never forced myself on anyone without consent. I hope my sincerity shines through as I express this to you.

The Metropolitan Police initiated their probe following numerous accusations that surfaced after a significant investigation carried out by both “Dispatches” on Channel 4 and The Sunday Times.

2023 unveiled a scandal where Brand faced accusations of “rape, sexual assault, and emotional abuse.” Representatives for the show confirmed that five women, four preferring anonymity, came forward to narrate their accounts of severe sexual misconduct within the production.

The “not guilty” plea made at Southwark signifies a new phase for Brand. Although his fame had begun to wane before the allegations surfaced, he was a significant presence on British television and radio in the mid-2000s. He would later achieve success and wealth in the U.S., thanks to films like “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” and “Get Him to the Greek,” as well as a notable but brief marriage to Katy Perry from 2010 to 2011.

After stepping away from public spotlight a decade back, he gained an online audience for his political opinions, initially leaning left but later swinging right. He uses YouTube and Rumble platforms to share theories about various topics, with COVID-19 conspiracies being the most prominent, as well as expressing support for Donald Trump, attending his inauguration in January.

Following the revelation towards the end of 2023, Brand adopted Christianity and has been vocal about his religious beliefs. Last year, he joined Tucker Carlson in prayer on stage at various American events, with Jordan Petersen following suit later. More recently, Carlson took to social media to advocate for the Trump administration to intervene in Brand’s situation, describing the rape and sexual assault allegations against him as “politically motivated” and “absurd.

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2025-05-30 12:47