Comedian Russell Brand is facing rape and sexual assault charges. The British police made the announcement on Friday after a nearly 18-month investigation. Four women have come forward, alleging Brand assaulted them between 1999 and 2005.
Brand, 50, has denied all allegations, saying his past relationships were consensual. In a video posted online, he said, “I’ve always told you, when I was young and single, before I had my wife and family, I was a silly person.” Brand continued, “I was a drug addict, a sex addict, but I’ve never raped anyone. I’ve never engaged in non-consensual activity.”
The police have filed one count of rape, one count of assault, one count of oral rape, and two counts of sexual assault against Brand. However, Brand maintains his innocence. He has been open about his past struggles with addiction and has written about them in his memoirs.
As a well-known comedian and actor, Brand has hosted radio and TV shows and appeared in several Hollywood films. He was also married to pop star Katy Perry from 2010 to 2012. Although he has largely disappeared from mainstream media, Brand has gained a large following online by creating wellness videos.
The investigation against Brand began in September 2023 after British media outlets Channel 4 and The Sunday Times published allegations from four women who claimed Brand had assaulted or raped them. The women’s identities have not been disclosed. Brand has denied all allegations, stating that his relationships have always been consensual. The case is ongoing.