LONDON, United Kingdom — British comedian and actor Russell Brand pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to additional charges of rape and sexual assault during a hearing at Southwark Crown Court.
Brand, 50, denied the latest allegations, which prosecutors say relate to incidents involving two women in London in 2009.
The Crown Prosecution Service confirmed that the new counts include rape and sexual assault.
He had previously pleaded not guilty to separate charges announced earlier this year, including two counts of rape, two counts of sexual assault and one count of indecent assault.
Prosecutors allege those earlier offenses involved four women and took place between 1999 and 2005 in London and in the seaside town of Bournemouth.
Trial Timeline and Case Management
A trial to hear the original charges is scheduled for June and is expected to last four to five weeks. A separate hearing will determine whether the new allegations will be joined to the existing case.
Brand’s lawyer told the court that his client required additional time to address the fresh charges. Recorder Andrew Baumgartner set a case management hearing for March.
During Tuesday’s appearance, Brand confirmed his name and entered his pleas from the dock. He was granted bail and is due to return to Southwark Crown Court at a later date to be fixed.
Background and Investigation
The investigation into Brand began in 2023 following reports by The Sunday Times, The Times and the Channel 4 program Dispatches.
The allegations prompted police to open an inquiry into multiple claims of sexual offenses spanning several years.
Brand has consistently denied wrongdoing.
Born in Essex, Brand rose to prominence as a stand-up comedian before becoming a television personality, hosting programs such as Big Brother’s Big Mouth and presenting radio shows on BBC Radio 2 and 6 Music.
He later transitioned into film, appearing in Hollywood productions including Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Get Him to the Greek.
In recent years, Brand has stepped back from mainstream media and built a substantial online following through commentary videos that blend wellness discussions, political opinions and expressions of religious devotion.
The court proceedings mark the latest development in a high-profile case that has drawn significant public and media attention in the United Kingdom.
