Russell Brand arrives at court as he's set to face rape and sexual assault charges
Brand, 49, who is understood to live in the US, was charged by the Metropolitan Police in April with one count each of rape, indecent assault and oral rape, as well as two counts of sexual assault, relating to four separate women. The incidents are alleged to have taken place between 1999 and 2005.
The former comedian, TV and film star arrived at Westminster Magistrates' Court for a pre-trial hearing today. It is understood Brand lives in the US and the charges were posted to him.
He was seen walking slowly into the court as he was surrounded by press and photographers. Russell wore a pair of large sunglasses with dark lenses and a gold trim as he walked to the entrance of the court.
The comedian wore a black shirt, which he left slightly unbuttoned as he made his way from a car into the building.
On Friday April 4, a spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police confirmed Brand had been charged in a statement. Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy, who is leading the investigation, shared details about the case.
He 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."
He continued: "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 at 24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line."
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Crown Prosecution Service, Jaswant Narwal, 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 rape, sexual assault and indecent assault. These relate to reported non-recent offences between 1999 and 2005, involving four women."
She added: "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."
Following the announcement of the charges, Brand denied the allegations in a video shared on his Instagram. Speaking in the video released shortly after the charges were announced, Brand said: "I've always told you guys that when I was young and single, before I had my wife and family who are just out of shot over there, my beautiful children, I was a fool, man.
"I was a fool, man, before I lived in the light of the Lord. I was a drug addict, a sex addict, and an imbecile, but what I never was, was a rapist. I've never engaged in non-consensual activity, I pray that you can see that by looking in my eyes. I want to thank all of you for your continuing support.
"I want let you know that our show will be on Rumble on Monday, thanks for your support there. And of course I'm now going to have the opportunity to defend these charges in court and I'm incredibly grateful for that. In the meantime you lot, stay free. and we will be continuing to discuss this matter. Praise the Lord."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
26 minutes ago
- The Independent
Ice cream man stabbed to death in north-west London named by police
An ice cream seller who was stabbed to death in north-west London has been named by the Metropolitan Police as 41-year-old Shazad Khan. Mr Khan was pronounced dead at the scene after officers responded to reports of an altercation in Monks Park in Wembley at 6.10pm on Tuesday. His family have been informed and a murder investigation was launched, the Met said. A 26-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder in the early hours of Wednesday, while a 31-year-old woman was also arrested at the scene for conspiracy to murder, the force said. Both individuals remain in custody. Local residents told the PA news agency that Mr Khan was well known in the area for selling ice creams in a van. Asim Mahmood Butt, 39, who lives in nearby Tokyngton Avenue, said he was childhood friends with the victim. Speaking at the scene, he said: 'I got a call from one of my cousins. 'This guy, we know him – he's a famous ice cream guy. He got stabbed yesterday. 'I came here and his body was still here, and police had cordoned off the area. 'We don't know the reason why, but all that we know is that a guy with a grey hoodie stabbed him eight times. That's what I've been told. 'I know his brothers as well – they're all local. We all used to play cricket and football here in Monks Park. 'He started (selling) ice cream about a year ago.' Mr Butt said the victim was married and had a young daughter. The victim's ice cream van, which had been parked on the road at the time of the incident, was well known locally for having a large teddy bear, the witness added. A second witness, who did not want to be named, said the ice cream van was towed away from the scene in the early hours of Wednesday morning. A blue forensics tent and a number of Met officers could be seen inside a police cordon in Monks Park on Wednesday afternoon. Removal vehicles also took away a separate white van and blue car. Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams, local policing commander for north-west London, said: 'Our thoughts remain with Shazad's family and friends at this unimaginably difficult time. 'This incident will rightly cause concern across the community, but intelligence at this stage leads us to believe there is no wider threat to the public. 'Detectives are conducting a thorough and fast-paced investigation, and locals can expect to see an uptick in police presence in the area. 'Anyone with any information – particularly dashcam or doorbell footage from the time of the incident – is urged to speak to us as a matter of urgency.'
Scottish Sun
26 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Pep Guardiola reveals what he really thinks of Liam Gallagher as he gushes over Oasis after Manchester gig
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) MANCHESTER City boss Pep Guardiola has labelled Oasis the 'best rock band in the last 50 years' after he watched their homecoming gig. Pep, 54, also revealed the Heaton Park concert in city was the first time he had met Liam Gallagher. 6 Pep Guardiola has labelled Oasis the 'best rock band in the last 50 years' after he watched their homecoming gig Credit: 6 Pep met Liam for the first time at the Heaton Park concert Credit: Reuters 6 Pep was pictured in a classic City shirt at the gig alongside Liam and Noel's kids Credit: Instagram @genegallagher And he likened Liam and brother Noel's enduring success to that of a good football team or a good book. Spaniard Pep, who attended with his daughter Maria, said: 'It was really good. 'The first time I've been in this country so it was nice. 'Being here in Manchester, the first time. 'They came here after many, many years. 'They have been the best rock band in the last 50 years. 'And I'm happy it's back. 'It's the first time I knew Liam. 'Noel I've been with many times (at City games) but Liam I never met before and I met him before the concert and he was so kind.' Pep was pictured in a classic City shirt at the gig alongside Liam's sons, Lennon, 25, and Gene, 24, and Noel's three children, Anais, 25, Donovan, 17, and Sonny, 14. Bitter Oasis feud 'buried once and for all' as Noel Gallagher heaps praise on younger brother Liam for 'smashing it' on reunion tour He said Oasis had sealed their superstar status by bouncing back from the brothers' 15-year rift to sell out their tour. Pep said: 'I don't know how many countries they sold out but that means how good they have been. 'When (people) say this team will be one of the best, I always say, 'Ask me after 25 years'. 'Then if people still talk about that team, it was a good team. 'It's like a book, if after 25 years people read the same book, that is a good book. 'It's like Oasis, no? They come back again and sold out all around the world, it is because they are good. Otherwise, it's not sold out.' During the gig Liam urged fans to show respect for the title-winning boss when he dedicated D'You Know What I Mean? to 'the greatest manager of all time, the one and only Pep Guardiola'. It led to boos from non-City fans, with Liam blasting back: 'Who you f****** booing?' 6 Pep attended the Heaton Park show with his daughter Maria Credit: Instagram @ 6 The pair belted out Don't Look Back In Anger together Credit: Instagram @
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Rhian Sugden shows off dramatic transformation after boob job and going down five cup sizes
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) RHIAN Sugden has revealed her incredible boob transformation with an impressive before and after surgery video. The former Page Three girl, 38, went under the knife last month for a breast uplift and reduction, after giving birth to her son George saw her breast size jump from a DD/E to an F cup. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Rhian Sugden revealed what her boobs looked like before surgery Credit: Instagram 4 And then how they looked afterwards Credit: Instagram 4 Rhian gushed about how happy she is with her new look Credit: Instagram In her latest video Rhian, who forked out over £10,000 for a reduction, is seen trying on outfits before surgery and then after - showing just how pert they now are. She told her followers: 'Love love love my boobs. No implants, just a reduction and uplift by the amazing Dr Hussain.' Rhian previously admitted her husband and fans were left disappointed by the surgery. She told us: 'Oliver was gutted at first – he's always loved my boobs,' she said. 'But he understands and I think he'll be happy for me to stop moaning about my back ache, to be honest.' Before going under the knife, Rhian revealed her nipples were sitting 11cm lower than they should have been after giving birth because "gravity took its toll." "So, being an ex-Page 3 model I'm no stranger to getting my boobs out, so I've always been conscious about what they look like and growing up I think I've had quite a good set of boobs," she explained. "BUt since having a baby gravity has obviously taken its toll and my nipples are 11cm lower than they should be," she explained. The model is married to actor Oliver Mellor, and they welcomed son George in December 2023 after a gruelling IVF journey. 4 The star proudly showed off her new assets Credit: Instagram Rhian Sugden reveals 34GG boobs left her in agony and her nipples were ELEVEN cm too low before reduction surgery
