Russell Brand, a comedian and actor, has responded ‘not guilty’ to many counts of rape and sexual assault during his court hearing in London. Four different women have accused the 49-year-old, once a big name in both British media and Hollywood, of serious offences more than two decades ago. The investigation where these two are accused began in 2023 after a joint media exposé.
Court Appearance and Charges
On that day, Southwark Crown Court in London heard Brand formally declaring he was not guilty of all the charges. There are four charges in all: rape, indecent assault, oral rape and sexual assault. From 1999 to 2005, the four alleged incidents involved four different women. Judge Baumgartner oversaw the quick hearing and at the end, it was confirmed that Brand would stand trial in 2026.
Brand came to court dressed in sunglasses, a dark blazer and a pinstriped shirt and had as his lawyer the same man who defended Kevin Spacey in his recent sexual assault trial. Judge Jessup granted Brand conditional bail and he will be allowed to remain free until his trial starts on June 3, 2026.
Background of the Allegations
The Sunday Times and Channel 4’s Dispatches first reported allegations against Brand in September 2023. Five women were interviewed by the exposé, with four of them deciding to remain anonymous as they told of purported rape, sexual assault and emotional abuse. Later, the Metropolitan Police started a criminal inquiry and in April 2025, charges were filed against the suspect.
In his first response, Brand posted a video on social media where he stated that all non-consensual claims were false. He talked in the video about dealing with addiction and mistakes in his youth, yet assured viewers that he had never raped anyone or engaged in.
From Celebrity to Controversial Figure
Radio hosting and comedy work in the first half of the 2000s assisted Russell Brand in gaining international fame from the films Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Get Him to the Greek. In addition, he was famous for briefly marrying pop star Katy Perry and for always acting daringly and provocatively.
Over the past few years, Brand changed his career, giving up his interest in mainstream shows and focusing on political and spiritual work on YouTube and Rumble. Formerly known for his support for left-wing thoughts, he has entered the right-wing conversation and consistently targets governments, vaccines and international organizations. He has spoken out positively about former President Donald Trump and went to his second inauguration.
In 2024, Brand declared his conversion to Christianity and started talking about his new religion. Since then, he has appeared on stages with Tucker Carlson and Jordan Peterson, talking about how people change and opposing what he regards as common trends.
Public and Legal Reactions
Many people have differing opinions about Brand’s legal issues. Critics and conservative commentators see the charges as an effort to silence Brand, who has been critical of media, government and pharmaceutical companies. Carlson has described the accusations as “absurd” and urged the White House to help Brand, saying he is being targeted unfairly.
Nonetheless, people supporting survivors of sexual assault have appreciated the legal steps taken, stressing the value of holding public figures responsible. Women’s rights groups have pointed to the courage of the accusers and the significance of seeing such cases reach the courtroom, even decades after the alleged incidents.
Awaiting Trial in 2026
Russell Brand will now prepare for a lengthy legal battle, with the trial set to begin in June 2026 due to court scheduling delays. Until then, he remains free under strict bail conditions. The case is expected to draw widespread media attention as it proceeds, given both the severity of the charges and Brand’s high-profile history.
As the legal system prepares to determine the truth behind the allegations, the public remains divided on whether Brand is being unfairly targeted—or finally held accountable.
