British actor and comedian Russell Brand appeared in Southwark Crown Court on Friday, where he pleaded not guilty to a series of serious rape and sexual assault charges involving four women. The allegations date back over 25 years, spanning incidents from 1999 to 2005.
Wearing dark sunglasses, a black shirt left open at the chest, a suit jacket and black jeans, Brand remained silent as he entered court. He responded clearly, “not guilty”, as each of the five charges was read out.
Russell Brand Pleads Not Guilty to Rape and Assault Charges
The 49-year-old entertainer faces the following:
- Two counts of rape
- Two counts of sexual assault
- One count of indecent assault
The russell brand rape charges relate to incidents allegedly occurring in London and the seaside town of Bournemouth. His trial is now scheduled to begin on 3 June 2026 and is expected to last between four to five weeks.
Allegations from Four Separate Women
1999: Bournemouth Hotel Incident
According to the prosecution, the earliest allegation occurred in 1999, during a Labour Party conference in Bournemouth. A woman claimed she met Brand at a performance and was later invited to his hotel room.
She alleges: Brand stripped naked while she was in the bathroom. On her return, he pushed her onto the bed, removed her underwear and raped her.
2001: Incident at London Television Station
Another woman alleged that in 2001, Brand grabbed her forearm and tried to drag her into the men’s toilet at a TV station in London.
2004: Bar Encounter Leads to Assault
A third woman, employed in the television industry, reported meeting Brand at a birthday party in a bar in 2004. She said he: Grabbed her breasts before pulling her into a toilet and forcing her to perform oral sex.
2004–2005: Radio Station Groping Allegation
The final accuser worked at a radio station during the time Brand was associated with a “Big Brother” spin-off. She claimed: Brand grabbed her face, shoved her against a wall, kissed her and groped her breasts and buttocks.
British law prohibits the media from revealing the identities of alleged victims of sexual offences. As such, none of the women involved in the russell brand rape charges have been named.
The Crown Prosecution Service has confirmed that all alleged incidents fall within the timeframe and criteria for prosecution.
Despite the media presence, Brand chose not to speak to reporters upon his arrival or departure from court. His legal representatives also declined to comment following the court hearing.
This court appearance is the latest development in a highly publicised saga, one that has dominated UK headlines since initial investigations began.
With the trial not due until mid-2026, the case is likely to remain in the public eye. Russell Brand, once a regular fixture on British television, now finds himself at the centre of one of the most high-profile legal battles in recent memory.
As the proceedings unfold, the russell brand rape charges are expected to draw further scrutiny into celebrity accountability and the enduring impact of historical allegations.
