Comedian and actor Russell Brand charged with rape by UK police, to appear in court in May

Comedian and actor Russell Brand has been charged with rape and several other sexual offences, London’s Metropolitan Police said on Friday, April 4.

Brand, who gained international fame as the former husband of pop star Katy Perry and a career as a stand-up comedian with provocative routines, faces charges of rape, indecent assault, oral rape, and two counts of sexual assault, according to the police.

The alleged offences took place between 1999 and 2005, as reported by the news agency AP.

What are the cases against Russell Brand?

According to UK police, there are four separate cases against Brand, involving four women.

There are allegations that Brand raped a woman in 1999 in the Bournemouth area. Then, in 2001, he allegedly assaulted a woman in the Westminster area of London. In 2004, he allegedly orally raped and sexually assaulted a woman in Westminster. He also allegedly sexually assaulted a woman in Westminster between 2004 and 2005.

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Police stated that Brand is expected to appear in a London court on May 2.

“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 statement said.

The incident surfaced in September 2023 when Channel 4 and the Sunday Times reported the four women had accused Brand of sexual assault or rape, according to AP.

Banijay UK, which now owns the company that produced some of Brand’s Channel 4 shows, launched an investigation. It found that concerns about Brand’s behavior had been raised informally at the time but were neither properly escalated nor adequately addressed.

Brand denies allegations

Russell Brand, meanwhile, has rejected these allegations, insisting that all of his relationships have been “consensual”.

Russell Brand, known for his edgy and provocative stand-up, has had a varied career in entertainment. He hosted radio and TV shows, starred in Hollywood films, and penned memoirs about his struggles with addiction.

Briefly married to pop star Katy Perry from 2010 to 2012, Brand later drifted away from mainstream media. In recent years, he has gained a massive online following with content blending wellness advice and conspiracy theories. He recently announced he had relocated to the US.

(With inputs from agencies)