British actor and comedian Russell Brand on Friday pleaded not guilty in a London court to charges of rape and sexual assault relating to four women more than two decades ago.
Brand (49), once one of Britain’s most high-profile broadcasters and former husband of US pop singer Katy Perry, appeared at Southwark crown court in London and denied all five criminal charges.
Brand has consistently denied having non-consensual sex since allegations were first aired two years ago.
British prosecutors announced in April that Brand had been charged with two counts of rape, one count of indecent assault, and two counts of sexual assault against four women between 1999 and 2005.
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Brand, who previously gave his address as being in England but who also lives in the US, is due to stand trial in June 2026.
He appeared at Westminster magistrates’ court earlier this month where he heard details of allegations against him – including that he raped a woman in a hotel room when she attended a Labour Party conference.
He is also charged with sexually assaulting a woman who worked for television, and another who worked for a radio station.
Another alleged victim accuses the comedian of indecent assault after he allegedly grabbed her forearm and attempted to drag her into a male toilet.
He was charged by post last month with one count each of rape, indecent assault and oral rape, as well as two counts of sexual assault, relating to the four women.
The charges arise from events alleged to have taken place between 1999 and 2005.
The actor was charged following an investigation by Channel 4 and the Sunday Times in which several women made allegations against him.
He previously told his 11.2 million followers on the social media platform X that he welcomed the opportunity to prove his innocence. – Agencies
