Actor/Comedian Russell Brand has been charged by prosecutors in Britain on one count of rape, oral rape and indecent assault and two other counts of sexual assault. The Crown Prosecution Service announced these charges today. The charges stem from incidents involving four women that occurred between 1999 and 2005. No recent events have been reported.
Brand, 50, achieved fame in the U.S. after starring in movies such as “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” and “Get Him to the Greek.” He was also briefly married to singer Katy Perry. He has recently gained notoriety as a politically charged media personality.
Background on Incidents
British authorities started investigating Brand in September 2023 after “receiving a number of allegations, which followed reporting by Channel 4’s Dispatches and The Sunday Times.” Metropolitan Police in London announced the following charges against Brand today: One count of rape, one count of indecent assault, one count of oral rape and two counts of sexual assault. The allegations range from a 1999 rape in the Bournemouth area to a sexual assault in the Westminster area of London between 2004 and 2005.
The police added that the investigation remains open, and they ask anyone who has been affected by this case or has any knowledge of the situation to contact them immediately. Metropolitan Police detective superintendent Andy Furphy made the following statement about the case.
“The women who have made reports continue to receive support from specially trained officers. 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,”
Brand’s Denials and More Allegations
Mr. Brand has denied these charges as rumours of his conduct have been splashed across U.K. newspapers. In a video released by Brand after the accusations became public, he said.
“I have been subjected to a litany of extremely egregious and aggressive attacks. I had once been sexually promiscuous, but my sexual encounters were “always consensual.”
Representatives for Mr. Brand did not immediately respond to a request for comment. He is set to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on May 2. He remains free on bail until his court appearance.
The formal charges do not include all of the allegations previously reported by the press. Investigative reports by The Times, The Sunday Times and Channel 4 stated that additional women have accused Brand of abuse that occurred from 2006 to 2013 and that some of the alleged crimes took place in the United States
