British comedian and actor Russell Brand has formally pleaded not guilty to five serious charges, including rape, oral rape, indecent assault, and two counts of sexual assault, during an appearance at Southwark Crown Court in London on May 30, 2025.
The allegations involve four women and pertain to incidents that allegedly occurred between 1999 and 2005. Specific accusations include a rape in Bournemouth in 1999, an indecent assault in London in 2001, and oral rape and sexual assault in 2004.
Brand, 49, appeared in court wearing dark sunglasses and a black shirt, accompanied by his father. He responded “not guilty” to each charge as they were read aloud.
The charges stem from a police investigation initiated after a 2023 exposé by The Times and Channel 4 Dispatches into Brand’s alleged misconduct.
Brand has consistently denied the allegations, stating that his past relationships were consensual and attributing previous personal misconduct to his struggles with addiction.
He remains on conditional bail pending his trial, which is scheduled to begin on June 3, 2026, and is expected to last four to five weeks.
The case continues to garner significant public attention, reflecting broader conversations about accountability and misconduct in the entertainment industry.
