Russell Brand pleads not guilty to charges of rape and sexual assault in London court

Published: Friday, May 30, 2025 at 12:02 pm

Russell Brand Pleads Not Guilty to Rape and Sexual Assault Charges in London Court

Actor and comedian Russell Brand has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges of rape and sexual assault in a London court. The charges, which involve four women, span a period of time from 1999 to 2005. Brand, who is turning 50 next week, denied all five counts against him, which include two counts of rape, two counts of sexual assault, and one count of indecent assault.

The trial is scheduled to begin on June 3, 2026, and is expected to last between four and five weeks. The alleged offenses occurred in both London and the English seaside town of Bournemouth.

Brand appeared in Southwark Crown Court wearing dark sunglasses and a suit jacket, clutching a copy of "The Valley of Vision," a collection of Puritan prayers. He has largely withdrawn from mainstream media in recent years, building a significant online following through videos that blend wellness, conspiracy theories, and discussions of religion.

Following the announcement of the charges last month, Brand stated he welcomed the opportunity to prove his innocence. He has maintained his innocence, stating he has never engaged in nonconsensual activity.

The Associated Press does not name victims of alleged sexual violence, and British law protects their identities. The accusations against Brand include an alleged rape at a hotel room in Bournemouth in 1999, an attempted assault in a London television station in 2001, an incident at a birthday party in 2004, and an alleged assault at a radio station between 2004 and 2005.

Keywords: Russell Brand, rape, sexual assault, London, court, not guilty, trial, Bournemouth, Southwark Crown Court, accusations, comedian, actor, allegations, charges, indecent assault, 1999, 2005, trial date, victims, sexual violence

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