British comedian and actor Russell Brand has been formally charged with rape and several other sexual offences, according to a statement issued by London’s Metropolitan Police on Friday, April 4.
The charges include rape, indecent assault, oral rape, and two counts of sexual assault. The alleged incidents occurred between 1999 and 2005 and involve four different women, police confirmed.
Breakdown of the Allegations
UK police outlined four separate cases against Brand:
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In 1999, he allegedly raped a woman in the Bournemouth area.
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In 2001, he is accused of sexually assaulting a woman in Westminster, London.
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In 2004, he allegedly committed oral rape and sexual assault in the Westminster area.
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Between 2004 and 2005, he is accused of another sexual assault in Westminster.
Brand is expected to appear in a London court on May 2, 2025.
“The Met’s investigation remains open, and detectives ask anyone who has been affected by this case, or anyone who has any information, to come forward and speak with police,” the official police statement said.
Channel 4 Investigation Sparked Allegations in 2023
The allegations initially came to light in September 2023, following a joint investigation by Channel 4 and The Sunday Times, which reported that four women had accused Brand of sexual assault or rape.
An internal probe was later launched by Banijay UK, the current owner of the company that produced Brand’s shows for Channel 4. Their inquiry revealed that concerns were raised informally about Brand’s behavior at the time, but “were neither properly escalated nor adequately addressed.
Brand Denies All Accusations
In response to the charges, Russell Brand has denied all allegations, asserting that his relationships have always been consensual.
“All of my relationships have been consensual,” Brand previously stated.
A Look at Russell Brand’s Career
Russell Brand rose to international fame with his provocative stand-up routines and work in film, television, and radio. He gained further attention during his marriage to pop star Katy Perry, which lasted from 2010 to 2012.
In recent years, Brand has stepped back from mainstream entertainment and shifted focus to digital platforms, where he shares content centered on wellness, spirituality, and conspiracy theories. He recently confirmed he had relocated to the United States.
