Featured Image Credit: PA
Topics: Russell Brand, Celebrity, Crime, UK News
Rhiannon Ingle
Russell Brand has been granted bail at Westminster Magistrates’ Court after appearing at a hearing to face charges of rape and sexual assault.
Brand spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth, address, and that he understood his bail conditions during the short hearing.
Detectives began investigating the 49-year-old actor and comedian in September 2023 after receiving a number of allegations, which followed reporting by Channel 4's Dispatches and The Sunday Times.
Last month, Brand was charged for one count each of rape, indecent assault, and oral rape as well, as two counts of sexual assault.
Four separate women have alleged that Brand sexually assaulted them.
According to the Met, it is alleged that; in 1999 a woman was raped in the Bournemouth area, in 2001 a woman was indecently assaulted in the Westminster area of London, in 2004 a woman was orally raped and sexually assaulted in the Westminster area of London, and between 2004 and 2005, a woman was sexually assaulted in the Westminster area of London.
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Brand previously took to X to share a statement last month (4 April) following the charges.
In the video captioned 'my response', he began: "Hello. Firstly, thank you for these incredible and overwhelming messages of support.
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"We're very fortunate in a way, to live in a time where there's so little trust in the British government. We're very fortunate, I suppose, that this is happening at a time where we know that the law has become a kind of weapon to be used against people, institutions and sometimes entire nations, but will not accept and tolerate levels of corruption that are unprecedented.
"I'm speaking particularly to those of you that are watching this in the UK. How do you feel about your legal system right now? How do you feel about some of the high profile cases that are not being pursued and prosecuted? How do you feel that the Southport murders were handled. How do you feel about the government of Keir Starmer?"
He went on: "Now, that's just sort of general context me. I've always told you guys that when I was young and single, before I had my wife and family were just about a shot over there, my beautiful children, I was a fool man.
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"I was a fool 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 to 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."
Brand, who is also a conspiracy theorist who shares with his millions of followers online, including 6.8 million subscribers on YouTube alone, previously posted a video preemptively denying the accusations against him in September of 2023 following the release of Channel 4's Russell Brand: In Plain Sight.
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While accusing the media of planning a coordinated attack against him, he said: "Amidst this litany of astonishing, rather baroque attacks are some very serious allegations that I absolutely refute.
"Now, during that time of promiscuity, the relationships I had were absolutely always consensual. I was always transparent about that then, almost too transparent, and I'm being transparent about it now as well."
Brand will appear at the Old Bailey at the end of this month (30 May).
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If you have been affected by any of the issues in this article and wish to speak to someone in confidence, contact the Rape Crisis England and Wales helpline on 0808 500 222, available 24/7. If you are currently in danger or need urgent medical attention, you should call 999.