Celebrity

Russell Brand Pleads Not Guilty to Rape and Assault Charges

OPENING SALVO

The Hollywood star is accused of sexually assaulting four women.

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 30: Russell Brand arrives at Southwark Crown Court on May 30, 2025 in London, England. The charges relate to accusations of rape, indecent assault and sexual assault between 1999 and 2005. (Photo by Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)
Jeff Spicer/Getty Images

Russell Brand has pleaded not guilty to five counts of rape, sexual assault and indecent exposure at a court in London. The actor-comedian formally denied the charges during a hearing at Southwark Crown Court on Friday, where he has been charged with assaulting four women between 1999 and 2005. Brand appeared in court wearing a dark suit and sunglasses and did not speak to reporters on his way in. The charges include an accusation of orally raping and sexually assaulting a woman in 2004, and raping another in 1999. He is also accused of assaulting a woman by grabbing her arm and dragging her to a male toilet in 2001, and kissing and groping another woman without her consent in 2005. His trial will take place on June 3, 2026. Following the charges, the 49-year-old released a video claiming he was not a rapist and that he was “incredibly grateful” to be able to defend the charges against him in court.

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