Russell Brand granted bail following court appearance amid sexual offence charges
Comedian Russell Brand has been charged with a string of sexual offences by the Metropolitan Police, and was granted bail in court as he faced the charges on May 2nd.
Brand has been charged with one count each of rape, indecent assault and oral rape as well as two counts of sexual assault. In a video posted by Sky News on X, Brand can be seen arriving at Westminster Magistrate Court. He wore a half-buttoned button-down shirt and sunglasses.
The former radio presenter flew into London from his US home on May 1st ahead of his appearance at court on May 2nd.
He denies the allegations against him in cases involving four women spanning 1999 and 2005. It’s alleged that a woman was raped in the Bournemouth area in 1999, a woman was indecently assaulted in Westminster, London, in 2001, a woman was orally raped and sexually assaulted in Westminster, London, in 2004 and between 2004 and 2005, a woman was sexually assaulted in Westminster, London.
Responding to the charges, Brand shared a video to X. He began by saying, “Thank you for these incredible and overwhelming messages of support. We’re very fortunate in a way to live in a time when there’s so little trust in the British government.”
He continued to his 11.6 million followers: “We’re very fortunate, I suppose, that this is happening at a time when we know that the law has become a kind of weapon to be used against people, institutions and sometimes, entire nations that will not accept and tolerate levels of corruption that are unprecedented.”
The comedian continued by saying that “when I was young and single” he “was a fool before I lived in the light of the lord”. He added: “I was a drug addict, sex addict and imbecile, but what I never was was a rapist. I never engaged in non-consensual activity. I pray you can see that by looking in my eyes.”
During the 12-minute hearing, Brand did not enter a plea. His next court appearance will take place on May 30th at the Old Bailey.
For help, advice or more information regarding sexual harassment, assault and rape in the UK, visit the Rape Crisis charity website. In the US, visit RAINN.
Never Miss A Scene
The Far Out Film Newsletter
All the latest film news from the independent voice of culture.
Straight to your inbox.