British comedian and actor Russell Brand has been formally charged with multiple counts of rape and sexual assault, the Metropolitan Police announced on Friday. The charges follow an investigation launched after several women came forward with allegations of historical sexual offenses.
Charges against Russel Brand
The 50-year-old Brand faces one count of rape, one count of indecent assault, one count of oral rape, and two counts of sexual assault. The alleged incidents are reported to have occurred between 1999 and 2005.
The investigation was initiated after a joint investigation by British broadcaster Channel 4 and the Sunday Times newspaper in September 2023 published detailed accounts from four women who accused Brand of sexual assault or rape. The identities of the accusers have been kept confidential.
Brand, known for his provocative stand-up comedy, past roles in films like “Get Him To The Greek,” and a former marriage to pop singer Katy Perry, has vehemently denied the allegations. Following the initial accusations last year, he released a video statement asserting that his relationships were “always consensual.”
Once a prominent figure in mainstream British media, hosting radio and television shows, Brand has in recent years shifted his focus to online platforms, amassing a significant following with videos encompassing wellness topics and conspiracy theories. He recently indicated that he had relocated to the United States.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed that Russell Brand is scheduled to appear at a London court on May 2.
(With AP Inputs)