Russell Brand has been granted bailed after appearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, charged with sexual offences including rape.
During the brief hearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, the 49-year-old spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth, and address, also confirming to the judge that he understood his bail conditions.
Brand, who has been living in the US, was charged by post last month with one count of rape, one count of indecent assault, one count of oral rape and two counts of sexual assault in connection with incidents involving four separate women between 1999 and 2005.
The allegations were first made in a joint investigation by The Sunday Times, The Times and Channel 4 Dispatches in September 2023.
The star, who is over 6ft tall, wore a black shirt which was unbuttoned to his mid-chest, black jeans and sunglasses.
On entering the court, he was surrounded by a scrum of journalists and photographers. Remaining composed and looking around as he walked, he didn’t speak or respond to any of the questions shouted at him as he went. There was also a police presence.
The comedian, actor and author has denied the accusations and said he has “never engaged in non-consensual activity”.
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Appearing before Senior District Judge Paul Goldspring, Brand – who removed his sunglasses once inside – stood to confirm his name and address. He then sat while the charges were read to the court.
Brand is charged with the rape of a woman in 1999 in the Bournemouth area and the oral rape and sexual assault of a woman in 2004 in the Westminster area of London.
The 2004 sexual assault charge alleges the actor touched the woman’s breasts without her consent.
He is also accused of indecently assaulting a woman in 2001 by “grabbing her arm and dragging her towards a male toilet” and sexually assaulting another woman between 2004 and 2005 – both offences are alleged to have taken place in Westminster, London.
The judge referred the case up to the Crown Court – informally known as the Old Bailey – and told Brand he must attend on 30 May.
Brand was asked to supply both his US and UK addresses to the court. When asked if he understood his bail conditions, Brand replied, “Yes”. On leaving the court, Brand thanked the judge.
In a video posted on X after he was initially charged, Brand told his followers: “I am now going to have the opportunity to defend these charges in court, and I’m incredibly grateful for that.”
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In a video referencing the court case posted on social media on Thursday, he said he welcomed the opportunity to prove his innocence and was “going to [his] country right now”.
Brand hosted a BBC Radio 2 show between 2006 and 2008 but left the role after leaving a “lewd” voicemail for Fawlty Towers actor Andrew Sachs about his granddaughter, later dubbed “Sachsgate”.
Brand also presented on Big Brother spin-off shows Big Brother’s Big Mouth and Big Brother: Celebrity Hijack in the noughties.
He was married to US pop singer Katy Perry from 2010 to 2012 but is now married to Laura Gallacher, the sister of presenter Kirsty, with whom he has two daughters, Mabel and Peggy.
