British comedian, Russell Brand has been charged with r@pe, indecent ass@ult, and s£xual ass@ult between 1999 and 2005.
The Metropolitan Police say the 50-year-old comedian, actor, and author has also been charged with one count of oral r@pe and one count of indecent ass@ult. The charges relate to four women.
He is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday 2 May.
Police have said Brand is accused of r@ping a woman in the Bournemouth area in 1999 and indecently ass@ulting a woman in the Westminster area of London in 2001.
He is also accused of orally r@ping and s£xually assaulting a woman in Westminster in 2004.
The fourth charge alleges that a woman was sexually assaulted in Westminster between 2004 and 2005.
Police began investigating Brand, from Oxfordshire, in September 2023 after receiving a number of allegations.
The comedian has previously denied the accusations, and said all his sexu@l relationships were “absolutely always consensual”.
Met Police Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy, who is leading the investigation, said: “The women who have made reports continue to receive support from specially trained officers.
“The Met’s investigation remains open and detectives ask anyone who has been affected by this case, or anyone who has any information, to come forward and speak with police.”
The force said it is alleged that:
- In 1999 a woman was raped in the Bournemouth area.
- In 2001 a woman was indecently assaulted in the Westminster area of London.
- In 2004 a woman was orally raped and sexually assaulted in the Westminster area of London.
- Between 2004 and 2005, a woman was sexually assaulted in the Westminster area of London.
Brand has been told to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 2 May, but he is believed to be in the United States.
Jaswant Narwal of the Crown Prosecution Service said: “We have today authorised the Metropolitan Police to charge Russell Brand with a number of sexual offences.
“We carefully reviewed the evidence after a police investigation into allegations made following the broadcast of a Channel 4 documentary in September 2023.
“We have concluded that Russell Brand should be charged with offences including r@pe, sexual ass@ult, and indecent ass@ult. These relate to reported non-recent offences between 1999 and 2005, involving four women.
“The Crown Prosecution Service reminds everyone that criminal proceedings are active, and the defendant has the right to a fair trial. It is extremely important that there be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”
The Metropolitan Police’s detective superintendent Andy Furphy, who is leading the investigation, said: “The women who have made reports continue to receive support from specially trained officers.
“The Met’s investigation remains open and detectives ask anyone who has been affected by this case, or anyone who has any information, to come forward and speak with police. A dedicated team of investigators is available via email at [email protected].
“Support is also available by contacting the independent charity, R@pe Crisis at 24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line.”
