Russell Brand Appears in Court Over Multiple Sexual Assault Charges Dating Back to 1999

Comedian and actor Russell Brand has arrived at court to face rape and sexual assault charges

British comedian and actor Russell Brand, 49, appeared in court today to face a series of serious charges, including rape, indecent assault, oral rape, and two counts of sexual assault involving four women. Brand, who was charged by post last month, is being represented by Oliver Schneider-Sikorsky, the lawyer known for successfully defending Kevin Spacey in a similar high-profile case in 2023.

In court, the prosecution detailed the allegations, beginning with an incident in 1999 in which Brand is accused of raping a woman in a hotel room after meeting her earlier that day at a theatrical event following the Labour Party Conference in Bournemouth. Prosecutor Dhadda told the court that Brand allegedly pushed the woman onto a bed, pulled down her trousers and underwear, and raped her, leaving behind only an email address.

Police had to battle to hold back the crowd of photographers as Brand arrived at Westminster Magistrates Court

The second alleged incident involves Brand reportedly grabbing a woman by her forearm and attempting to drag her into a male toilet at a television station, constituting indecent assault. A third woman, a television worker, claims Brand grabbed her breasts before pulling her into a toilet and orally raping her after they met in Soho. The final allegation comes from a woman who worked at a radio station while Brand was employed at Channel 4 for Big Brother's Big Mouth. She alleges that he grabbed her face with both hands, pushed her against a wall, kissed her, and then groped her breasts and buttocks.

No pleas were entered during the court appearance. The judge granted Brand conditional bail, requiring him to provide both his UK and US addresses by 4 p.m. today and to notify the court of any future changes. The judge emphasized the seriousness of the charges and informed Brand that the case would proceed to the Central Criminal Court, commonly known as the Old Bailey, for a plea and trial preparation hearing scheduled for May 20.

He arrived wearing gold rimmed sunglasses, a black shirt and trousers

“You face a number of allegations, five in total. Some of them are what would be called indictable only — the court must then send them to the crown court for trial,” the judge stated. He warned Brand that failure to appear without a valid reason could lead to arrest, imprisonment, or a fine.

Brand, holding a pair of glasses, replied “Thank you” as he was escorted from the courtroom. Dressed in a black shirt and trousers with gold-rimmed sunglasses, Brand arrived at Westminster Magistrates' Court alongside his lawyer and was quickly surrounded by media and members of the public, prompting intervention by at least six police officers.

The comedian and actor is being represented by Oliver Schneider-Sikorsky (left), who successfully defended Kevin Spacey against sex assault allegations in 2023

In a recent video posted to his social media account, Brand asserted his intention to prove his innocence in court.

Brand rose to fame in the early 2000s as a presenter on Big Brother's Big Mouth and Big Brother: Celebrity Hijack. He also hosted a BBC Radio 2 show from 2006 to 2008, before resigning in the wake of the "Sachsgate" scandal involving lewd voicemails left for actor Andrew Sachs regarding his granddaughter.

The TV personality and film star was previously married to American pop singer Katy Perry from 2010 to 2012. He is now married to Laura Gallacher, sister of presenter Kirsty Gallacher, and the couple share two children, Mabel and Peggy.

British actor and comedian Russell Brand, who has been charged with rape and multiple counts of sex assault, leaves Westminster Magistrates' Court