LONDON — Russell Brand exited a glossy black Mercedes on Friday, stepping into a much more somber scene compared to a glitzy Hollywood red carpet. This time, the British comedian and actor was headed towards a courtroom to face serious allegations of rape and sexual assault.
Sporting a black collared shirt that was open to his chest and a gold cross, Brand was swiftly surrounded by a sea of cameras. With an air of calm, he moved slowly forward, flanked by bodyguards and police officers as he made his way through the throng of media and spectators.
The comedian, known for his book ‘Get Him To The Greek’, offered a thumbs-up gesture as he entered Westminster Magistrates’ Court in the heart of London. His long, wavy hair cascaded down to his shoulders, a beard tinged with grey, and he wore distinctive gold-framed sunglasses along with black jeans and brown boots.
Inside the crowded courtroom, Brand confirmed his identity during the short hearing. He was granted conditional bail after the prosecutor presented a summary of complaints from four women, with incidents spanning a period of nearly 25 years. Last month, the 49-year-old was charged with two counts of rape, two counts of sexual assault, and one count of indecent assault. He has previously denied these allegations and did not enter a plea.
The accusations are connected to events that allegedly occurred between 1999 and 2005. These include an incident in the coastal town of Bournemouth and three others in London. British law protects the anonymity of victims in these cases, and their identities remain confidential within the media.
Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring required Brand to attend the Central Criminal Court, also known as the Old Bailey, on May 30. He was granted bail on the condition that he keeps the court apprised of his whereabouts in either the U.K. or the U.S. Though currently residing in Florida, Brand is mandated to be present at all subsequent court proceedings. Non-compliance could result in imprisonment.
Prosecutor Suki Dhadda detailed allegations that Brand raped a woman in a Bournemouth hotel room in 1999 after meeting her at a political conference. It is claimed that Brand acted without consent after the woman returned from the bathroom.
In a separate 2001 incident, Brand is accused of attempting to drag another woman into the men’s restroom at a television station in London by grabbing her forearm.
Another accusation involves a television worker who met Brand at a birthday celebration in 2004. Brand allegedly grabbed her breasts and forced her into a toilet to perform oral sex.
The final complainant is reported to have worked at a radio station while Brand was on a reality show spin-off during 2004 and 2005. He’s accused of forcefully kissing and groping her.
These charges emerge from a joint investigation launched in September 2023 by Channel 4 and the Sunday Times. In response to the allegations, Brand initially denied any wrongdoing. On the day of his indictment, he released a video affirming his readiness to prove his innocence.
“I was a fool before I lived in the light of the lord,” he stated. “I was a drug addict, a sex addict, and an imbecile. But I was never a rapist. I’ve never engaged in nonconsensual activity. I pray that you can see that by looking in my eyes.”
Renowned for his uninhibited and provocative stand-up acts, Brand has hosted radio and TV shows and authored memoirs recounting his struggles with addiction. He has also acted in various Hollywood films and was briefly married to pop singer Katy Perry from 2010 to 2012.
Recently, Brand has drifted away from the mainstream media spotlight, instead accruing a significant online following with content that blends wellness tips and conspiracy theories. He has also mentioned relocating to the United States.