Russell Brand charged with rape and sexual assault
Comedian Russell Brand has been charged by the Metropolitan Police in London.
Russell Brand has been charged with rape, sexual assault and indecent assault.
The 49-year-old comedian has been charged by the Metropolitan Police in London, which has alleged that Brand assaulted four separate women between 1999 and 2005.
Metropolitan Police Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy, who is leading the investigation, said in a statement: "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 CIT@met.police.uk. Support is also available by contacting the independent charity Rape Crisis."
The Metropolitan Police began making investigations after receiving allegations from a number of women.
The Sunday Times and The Times newspapers, as well as Channel 4's 'Dispatches', also revealed multiple serious allegations against Brand back in 2023.
The police subsequently interviewed Brand a number of times, and recently wrote to the comedian to inform him that he was being charged with rape, indecent assault and sexual assault.
Jaswant Narwal, a barrister and prosecutor at the Crown Prosecution Service, said in a statement: "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 rape, sexual assault and indecent assault."
Brand has been ordered to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on May 2.
However, the comedian has already taken to social media to deny the allegations.
Brand - who is married to author and illustrator Laura Brand - said in a video posted on X: "What I never was, was a rapist. I've never engaged in non-consensual activity."
The stand-up star has also claimed that he's looking forward to defending himself in court.
Brand - who has developed a huge following on his YouTube channel in recent years - said: "I'm now going to have the opportunity to defend these charges in court and I'm incredibly grateful for that."
