Russell Brand appeared in a London court to face serious rape and sexual assault charges spanning from 1999 to 2005, leaving with conditional bail as he awaits his next hearing at England’s Central Criminal Court.
At a Glance
- Russell Brand faces one count of rape, one count of oral rape, two counts of sexual assault, and one count of indecent assault allegedly committed between 1999 and 2005
- The charges involve four women, with incidents occurring primarily in London and one in Bournemouth
- Brand was granted conditional bail after a brief 12-minute court appearance at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on May 2, 2025
- His next hearing is scheduled for May 30 at England’s Central Criminal Court
- Brand has denied all allegations, claiming they were “absolutely and always consensual”
Court Appearance and Charges
British comedian and actor Russell Brand appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London on May 2, 2025, to face multiple serious charges. During the brief 12-minute hearing, Brand only spoke to confirm his name, address, and understanding of his bail conditions. He did not enter a plea to the charges, which include one count of rape, one count of oral rape, two counts of sexual assault, and one count of indecent assault allegedly committed between 1999 and 2005.
The charges stem from allegations made by four women and follow an investigation that began in September 2023 after a joint investigation by Channel 4, The Sunday Times, and The Times aired. The Metropolitan Police subsequently charged Brand in April 2025 after reviewing evidence collected during their investigation. The alleged incidents occurred primarily in London, with one reported in Bournemouth.
Brand’s Response and Legal Status
Brand has consistently denied all allegations against him since they first surfaced. In response to the charges, he has maintained his position that any sexual encounters were consensual. The court granted Brand conditional bail, with requirements including that he must notify authorities of his whereabouts whether in the US or UK. His next court appearance is scheduled for May 30 at England’s Central Criminal Court, also known as the Old Bailey.
“I’ve never engaged in non-consensual activity. I pray that you can see that by looking in my eyes.”, Russell Brand said.
According to prosecutors who reviewed the evidence following the police investigation, they determined that charges should be brought forward. Brand has characterized the allegations as part of a coordinated media attack against him. In addition to these charges, Brand has also reportedly been investigated by Thames Valley Police for harassment and stalking allegations from 2018, though the current court proceedings are unrelated to those claims.
Brand’s Background and Recent Activities
Brand rose to prominence in the early 2000s as a comedian and media personality in the UK, hosting shows on the BBC, MTV, and Big Brother’s Big Mouth. His fame spread to the United States through roles in films such as “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” and “Get Him to the Greek.” He was previously married to pop star Katy Perry from 2010 to 2012 and is currently married to Laura Gallacher, with whom he has three children.
In recent years, Brand has reinvented himself as an internet commentator, amassing millions of subscribers on platforms like YouTube and Rumble. His content has become increasingly focused on criticizing globalism, mainstream media, and vaccines. He has also recently discussed his conversion to Christianity and participated in political events, including one with Tucker Carlson where he reportedly prayed against what he termed “the dark and demonic forces” of the deep state.