British comedian and actor Russell Brand has been formally charged with multiple sexual offences, including rape and indecent assault, the Metropolitan Police announced on Friday, Al Jazeera reported.
The 50-year-old entertainer, once a prominent figure in British media, faces one count of rape, one of oral rape, one of indecent assault, and two counts of sexual assault. The charges stem from complaints by four women over alleged incidents that took place between 1999 and 2005.
Police said the investigation into Brand remains ongoing and urged anyone with additional information to come forward.
The charges follow a high-profile media investigation in 2023 by Channel 4 and The Sunday Times, which first brought the allegations to light. At the time, four women accused Brand of sexual misconduct, prompting a wider public reckoning and formal investigation.
Brand has denied all allegations, insisting that all his past sexual relationships were consensual. In an interview with American political commentator Tucker Carlson in January of 2024, he described the accusations as “very, very painful” and acknowledged his past promiscuity.
“I’m aware that I put myself in an extremely vulnerable position by being very, very promiscuous. That is not the type of conduct I endorse, and it’s certainly not how I would live now,” he said.
Known for his provocative stand-up comedy and outspoken persona, Brand rose to fame in the 2000s with a string of television and radio appearances, best-selling memoirs chronicling his battles with addiction, and roles in Hollywood films. He was briefly married to pop star Katy Perry from 2010 to 2012.
In recent years, he has shifted away from mainstream media, instead gaining a large online following through videos blending wellness themes with controversial political commentary and conspiracy theories. He has recently relocated to the United States.
Brand is scheduled to appear in a London court on May 2.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ