British comedian Russell Brand has been charged with rape and multiple sexual assaults, Britain’s Crown Prosecution Service announced Friday. The 49-year-old faces charges including two counts of rape, one count of indecent assault, one count of oral rape, and two counts of sexual assault. The allegations involve four different women and span from 1999 to 2005.
Details of the Allegations
According to the Metropolitan Police, Brand is accused of raping a woman in the Bournemouth area in 1999 and indecently assaulting another woman in Westminster, London in 2001. He is also charged with orally raping and sexually assaulting a woman in Westminster in 2004, and sexually assaulting a fourth woman in Westminster between 2004 and 2005.
Jaswant Narwal, Chief Crown Prosecutor for London North, confirmed the charges followed a “careful review of the evidence” gathered during a police investigation launched after media reporting last year.
Brand Denies Wrongdoing
Brand has previously denied all allegations, stating that his relationships have been “always consensual.” Before the publication of the initial allegations in September 2023, he released a video calling the accusations “very serious” and preemptively denying them.
Court Appearance and Investigation Status
The former BBC presenter and Hollywood actor has been ordered to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on May 2. Brand is believed to be currently in the United States, which may complicate his court appearance. If he does not cooperate with authorities, an extradition process could be initiated.
Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy, who is leading the investigation, stated that it remains open and encouraged “anyone who has been affected by this case, or anyone who has any information, to come forward and speak with police.”
Media Investigation Prompted Charges
The charges follow a joint investigation by The Sunday Times newspaper and Channel 4’s “Dispatches” program titled “Russell Brand: In Plain Sight,” broadcast in September 2023. The investigation featured women accusing Brand of sexual and emotional abuse, including one who claimed she was just 16 (the age of consent in the UK) when Brand, then 30, began a relationship with her that allegedly included abuse.
Brand, who was once married to pop star Katy Perry, has in recent years pivoted to wellness influencing and aligned himself with right-wing media figures, including appearing on stage with Tucker Carlson and attending the Republican National Convention in July.
The Crown Prosecution Service has reminded the public that “criminal proceedings are active, and the defendant has the right to a fair trial.”