Actor Russell Brand has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges of rape and sexual assault. The 49-year-old appeared at Southwark Crown Court in London for a brief pre-trial hearing on Friday, where he faced five charges in total.
The allegations against Brand involve four separate incidents. One incident dates back to 1999, where a woman claims she was raped in the Bournemouth area. Another incident occurred in 2001, when a woman accused him of indecent assault in Westminster, London. A third incident in 2004 involves allegations of oral rape and sexual assault, also in Westminster. The fourth accusation, which took place between 2004 and 2005, involves another claim of sexual assault in the same area.
Brand will remain on conditional bail until his trial, which is set to begin in June 2026. He is required to inform the court of any changes to his address leading up to the trial. His legal representation comes from Oliver Schneider-Sikorsky, who previously defended actor Kevin Spacey in similar allegations earlier this year.
In response to the charges, Brand released a video on social media where he acknowledged his past struggles with addiction but maintained that all his past sexual encounters were consensual. He described himself as a "fool" during his younger years and emphasized, “What I never was was a rapist.” He expressed gratitude for the chance to defend himself in court and insisted he has never engaged in non-consensual activities.
As the case unfolds, many will be watching closely to see how the legal proceedings develop and what impact this situation will have on Brand’s career and public image.