Russell Brand pleads not guilty to rape and assault

Russell Brand pleads not guilty to rape and assault

Russell Brand, the well-known broadcaster, comedian, and actor, has officially pleaded not guilty to charges of rape, sexual assault, and indecent assault during a court hearing in London. The 49-year-old appeared at Southwark Crown Court, where he denied the five charges for the first time. The allegations date back to incidents between 1999 and 2005 in central London and Bournemouth, involving four women.

The charges against Brand include oral rape and sexual assault in July 2004, as well as a rape allegation from 1999. Additionally, he is accused of indecently assaulting a woman by grabbing her arm in 2001 and dragging her towards a male toilet, along with sexually assaulting another woman by kissing and groping her in 2004 or 2005. The trial for these charges is set to commence on 3 June 2026.

Brand maintained his silence towards reporters as he entered the court premises clad in a dark suit and unbuttoned shirt. Standing in the glass dock, he confirmed his identity and responded with a firm “not guilty” to each charge. Subsequently, he exited the dock, donning his sunglasses, and expressed his gratitude to the usher before departing the scene under the supervision of security guards. The influencer, known for his media presence, will remain on conditional bail until the commencement of the trial, with a pre-trial review slated for 20 May 2026.

In April, following the charges brought against him, Brand addressed his followers in a video asserting his innocence, denying any engagement in non-consensual sexual activities. Born in Essex, he rose to fame as a stand-up comedian and gained recognition for hosting TV shows like Big Brother’s Big Mouth. Transitioning into Hollywood, he starred in films such as Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Get Him To The Greek, solidifying his career in the entertainment industry

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