British comedian and actor Russell Brand has been charged with multiple counts of sexual assault, including two counts of rape. The Crown Prosecution Service announced the charges on Friday, citing non-recent offenses between 1999 and 2005 involving four women. Brand, 50, will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London for a first hearing on May 2.
Brand denies committing rape or sexual assault, stating he has “never engaged in nonconsensual activity.” He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to defend himself in court. The Metropolitan Police outlined charges including raping a woman in Bournemouth in 1999, indecently assaulting a woman in London in 2001, and sexually assaulting women in 2004 and 2005.
The police investigation began in September 2023, following a joint investigation by The Sunday Times, The Times of London, and Channel 4. Brand has a large social media following, including over six million users on YouTube, where he often discusses conspiracy theories and conservative figures.
It’s worth noting that British law prohibits news outlets from identifying people accused of sexual assault unless they waive their anonymity. This case is the latest in a series of high-profile allegations against public figures.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/04/arts/russell-brand-rape-sexual-assault-charges.html