Russell Brand pleads not guilty to rape and sexual assault charges (Photo by Jack Taylor/Getty Images)
British actor and comedian Russell Brand pleaded not guilty to two additional charges of rape and sexual assault on Tuesday in a London court. The charges relate to alleged incidents involving two women nearly two decades ago.
Appearing at Southwark Crown Court, Brand, 50, denied the allegations that he raped one woman and sexually assaulted another in 2009. This follows previous charges filed last year, where he was accused of two counts of rape, one count of indecent assault, and two counts of sexual assault against four women between 1999 and 2005.
Brand had already pleaded not guilty to those five charges in May 2023 and is set to stand trial in June. A hearing will take place next month to determine whether the new allegations should be included in the same trial. Brand’s lawyer has requested more time to address these latest accusations.
Brand, known for his flamboyant style and outspoken personality, arrived at court wearing a white cowboy hat and sunglasses. When asked how he was feeling, Brand, who announced in 2024 that he had become a Christian, told reporters he was feeling “blessed.”
Once one of Britain’s most high-profile broadcasters, Brand gained fame in the 2000s through his work as a comedian, radio presenter for the BBC, and television host. He also starred in films, including Get Him to the Greek (2010). In the same year, he married U.S. pop singer Katy Perry. The two divorced in 2012 after 14 months of marriage.
By the early 2020s, Brand had faded from mainstream culture and shifted to a more prominent online presence. He now shares his views on U.S. politics and free speech with a growing audience.
Brand’s legal troubles continue as the allegations against him are under investigation, and his trial is scheduled for June 2024.
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