- British comedian Russell Brand has been charged with rape and sexual assault.
- The charges involve four women, with alleged incidents between 1999 and 2005.
- Police say the investigation is still active and encourage more victims to come forward.
- Brand has denied the accusations, insisting all his relationships were consensual.
- He is expected to appear in court on May 2.
- The charges follow a media exposé aired in 2023.
- BBC previously apologized over handling Brand’s past conduct.
Charges After Months of Investigation
Controversial British comedian and actor Russell Brand is now facing criminal charges related to multiple sexual assault allegations. This comes after a detailed 18-month police investigation that followed a public exposé in 2023.
According to the London Metropolitan Police, Brand, aged 50, has been formally charged with five serious offenses: one count of rape, one count of indecent assault, one count of oral rape, and two counts of sexual assault.
The charges involve four different women, with the alleged assaults reported to have occurred between 1999 and 2005 in both central London and Bournemouth.
Court Date Set for May as Police Urge More Witnesses
Brand is scheduled to appear before a London court on May 2. Meanwhile, authorities have confirmed that the case remains open and are calling for anyone with further information to step forward.
“We are still investigating and urge anyone who may have relevant information to contact the police,” said the force in a public statement.
Allegations Surfaced Through Media Investigation
The criminal case was sparked by a joint investigation conducted by Channel 4 and The Sunday Times, which aired in September 2023. The exposé featured anonymous accounts from four women who accused Brand of either rape or sexual assault.
Though their identities remain protected, the claims sent shockwaves through the UK entertainment industry and beyond.
Brand Denies Allegations, Says All Encounters Were “Consensual”
In response to the allegations, Brand publicly denied any wrongdoing. He claimed that all of his relationships have been consensual and insisted he was being targeted due to his outspoken views.
“I’ve always been transparent about my past. I completely deny the criminal allegations made against me,” he said last year in a video posted to his online platforms.
From Stardom to Scrutiny
Once a staple of British media, Brand made his name through bold comedy, TV and radio hosting, as well as roles in films such as Get Him To The Greek. He was also briefly married to pop singer Katy Perry from 2010 to 2012.
But in recent years, Brand has stepped back from mainstream fame, choosing instead to build a large online audience through podcasts and videos blending wellness, politics, and conspiracy theories.
BBC Issues Apology Over Brand’s Past Conduct
In January this year, the BBC publicly apologized to staff members who felt silenced by Brand’s celebrity status during his time at the broadcaster. Brand previously hosted two weekly radio shows on the BBC from 2006 to 2008.
The network acknowledged it had failed in the past to prevent abuses of power by high-profile presenters.
“It is clear that some presenters were allowed to abuse their positions,” read a BBC statement addressing the issue.
CPS Urges Respect for Legal Process
The UK’s Crown Prosecution Service emphasized that Brand, like all defendants, is entitled to a fair trial.
“We’ve reviewed the evidence and concluded that Russell Brand should be charged. But we also remind the public that proceedings are active and he is innocent until proven guilty,” said Jaswant Narwal from the CPS.
