British comedian and actor Russell Brand denied all charges against him during a hearing at Southwark Crown Court in London on Friday, pleading not guilty to five counts of sexual offenses, including rape and sexual assault.
The allegations, spanning from 1999 to 2005, involve four women and consist of one count of rape, one of oral rape, two of sexual assault, and one of indecent assault.
The 49-year-old arrived at court in an open-collared shirt and dark blazer, maintaining a composed demeanor as crowds gathered outside. He had previously been granted conditional bail following an initial appearance at Westminster Magistrates’ Court earlier this month, where he showed no reaction as the charges were read aloud.
Brand, who gained global fame as pop star Katy Perry’s ex-husband, was a prominent figure in British entertainment during the early 2000s, known for his risqué comedy and television appearances. In recent years, he has shifted his public persona, reinventing himself as an anti-establishment social media influencer with conservative leanings.
The charges stem from a police investigation prompted by a 2023 Channel 4 documentary that aired allegations against him. Prosecutors accuse Brand of raping a woman in a Bournemouth hotel room in 1999 and sexually assaulting another woman in central London in 2004. The alleged victims include a former TV worker and a radio station employee.
In a video statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) after being charged in April, Brand vehemently denied the accusations, stating, “I was a fool before I lived in the light of the Lord. I was a drug addict, a sex addict, and an imbecile, but what I never was was a rapist. I’ve never engaged in non-consensual activity.”
Born in Essex in 1975, Brand began his career as a stand-up comedian before landing roles as an MTV presenter and host of a Big Brother spin-off show. He later hosted a BBC Radio 2 program but resigned in 2008 following controversy over an on-air prank involving actor Andrew Sachs.
Once a vocal left-wing activist and Hollywood actor, Brand has since cultivated a following as a conservative commentator, frequently discussing conspiracy theories and wellness in his online content. Last year, he announced his conversion to Christianity after being baptized in the River Thames.
The trial is scheduled to begin on June 3, 2026.
