Russell Brand Denies Allegations of Rape and Assault in Court Hearing

Russell Brand has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges, including rape and sexual assault, during a hearing at Southwark Crown Court, setting the stage for an upcoming trial.

Russell Brand, the well-known comedian, broadcaster, and actor, entered Southwark Crown Court to formally plead not guilty to five serious charges, which include one count of rape, one count of indecent assault, one count of oral rape, and two counts of sexual assault. These allegations involve incidents that supposedly occurred between 1999 and 2005, affecting four different women in locations including central London and Bournemouth.

Upon his arrival at court, the 49-year-old dressed in a dark suit, showed a composed demeanor as he walked past media personnel. In the court's glass dock, he confirmed his identity and responded with "not guilty" for each charge presented to him. Afterwards, he exited the courtroom with a pair of sunglasses on, thanking the usher as he left, flanked by security personnel who guided him through a throng of reporters.

The trial is currently set to commence on June 3, 2026. Prior to this, a pre-trial review will take place on May 20, 2026. Following the charges filed in April, Brand publicly asserted his innocence through a video statement, asserting he had never engaged in non-consensual sexual activities and expressing his eagerness to contest the allegations in court.

Born in Essex, Brand gained fame through his stand-up comedy and became a familiar face as a presenter for various television shows, such as "Big Brother's Big Mouth." He later transitioned to Hollywood, starring in well-known films including "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" and "Get Him To The Greek." Despite these developments, he will remain on conditional bail until the trial begins.