Comedian and TV presenter Russell Brand made his first court appearance on May 2, 2025, at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, facing serious criminal charges related to alleged sexual offences.
The 49-year-old has been formally charged with five offences, including rape, oral rape, indecent assault, and two counts of sexual assault. These incidents are alleged to have occurred between 1999 and 2005, when Brand was rising to fame in the UK entertainment industry.
The 12-minute hearing saw Brand confirm his identity and address before being granted bail. He is due to reappear in court on May 30, 2025.
Details of the charges include:
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Rape in 1999 (Bournemouth)
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Indecent assault in 2001 (Westminster)
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Oral rape and assault in 2004
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Sexual assault between 2004 and 2005
These proceedings follow a months-long investigation by the Metropolitan Police, sparked by 2023 revelations from a joint investigation by Channel 4 and The Sunday Times. Several women came forward, including one who said Brand initiated a relationship with her when she was underage, and another who alleged he raped her in Los Angeles in 2012.
Brand has denied all allegations, asserting in a social media video that all of his relationships were “consensual” and calling the charges false.
At the height of his fame during the early 2000s, Brand was a familiar face in British media. The BBC reported that concerns about his behavior had been informally raised as far back as two decades ago.
Meanwhile, the fallout continues: a Florida college recently canceled Brand’s planned talk on free speech and censorship, citing the ongoing legal scrutiny.
