LONDON – Comedian and former TV presenter Russell Brand appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday facing serious criminal charges, including rape, sexual assault, and indecent assault, in incidents alleged to have taken place between 1999 and 2005.
The 49-year-old, dressed in a half-unbuttoned black shirt, dark jeans, and gold-rimmed sunglasses, was flanked by police officers and security guards as he arrived at court amidst a frenzy of photographers. He did not enter any pleas and only confirmed his name, date of birth, and UK address before the court.
Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring granted Brand bail with strict conditions, including the requirement to inform police of his whereabouts in both the UK and the United States. The case has been sent to the Old Bailey, with a preliminary hearing scheduled for 30 May.
Prosecutor Suki Dhadda revealed that Brand is accused of raping one of the alleged victims in a hotel room during a Labour Party conference. He is also alleged to have attempted to drag a television worker into a men’s toilet in 2001 by grabbing her forearm. Further charges include sexually assaulting a woman while working on Big Brother, by “sloppily” kissing her and groping her breasts. In another instance, he is accused of grabbing a woman’s breasts and forcing her to perform oral sex in a Soho bar toilet.
The alleged offences took place in various locations, including Bournemouth and Westminster. Brand faces a total of five charges: two counts of rape, two counts of sexual assault, and one count of indecent assault. All the incidents reportedly involve women over the age of 16.
Inside the courtroom, Brand briefly embraced members of his legal team before holding a private conference with his defence. He is expected to be represented in the proceedings by Ian Winter KC, while Judge Mark Lucraft KC, the Recorder of London, will oversee the case at the Old Bailey.
Brand was formally charged last month following a long-running investigation by the Metropolitan Police, which began in September 2023 after a joint exposé by The Sunday Times, The Times, and Channel 4’s Dispatches led several women to come forward with allegations of sexual misconduct.
Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy, who is leading the inquiry, said: “The women who have made reports continue to receive support from specially trained officers. The Met’s investigation remains ongoing and we urge anyone affected to contact our dedicated team.”
Support services are available through the independent charity Rape Crisis and the police’s investigative team via email at CIT@met.police.uk.
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Responding to the initial charges, Brand released a video online stating: “I’ve never engaged in non-consensual activity. I pray that you can see that by looking in my eyes.” In a subsequent YouTube post, he said: “I want a trial because I know that I’m innocent… A thorough and intrepid examination which establishes that innocence in the eyes of everybody – I welcome it.”
At the height of his career, Brand was a major television and radio personality, with notable stints on Big Brother’s Big Mouth and BBC Radio 2. He also enjoyed success in Hollywood and was married to American pop star Katy Perry from 2010 to 2012. He is currently married to Laura Gallacher, with whom he shares two daughters.
Jaswant Narwal, Chief Crown Prosecutor for London North, stressed the importance of upholding Brand’s right to a fair trial. “Criminal proceedings are now active, and it is crucial that no reporting, commentary, or sharing of information prejudices the legal process,” she stated.
Brand will return to court later this month to face the charges formally in crown court, where the full weight of the evidence will be examined.
