Russell Brand granted bail after virtual court appearance over new charges
Russell Brand has been granted bail after appearing in court via video link, faced with two new charges of rape and sexual assault.
The comedian appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on January 20th via a video link from the US, following the two new accusations being brought against him last month by the Metropolitan Police.
Both of the fresh allegations are claimed to have taken place in 2009, which comes on top of the one count of indecent assault, two counts of sexual assault, and two counts of rape which were previously brought against him.
Brand has repeatedly denied all the accusations against him. At the short hearing, he appeared on the video link wearing a shirt with a number of buttons undone, and spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth, according to Sky News.
He was subsequently bailed, and is now set to appear at Southwark Crown Court on February 17th. He will also appear at the court from June 16th this year, as the trial for the five previous offences is set to begin.
According to documents seen in the court hearing, the two new offences are alleged to have taken place in London.
The Metropolitan Police said, when revealing the charges last month, that one count of alleged rape relates to one woman, with the incident alleged to have taken place between February 7th and March 1st, 2009.
The second count is of sexual assault against a different woman, alleged to have taken place between August 31st and December 1st of the same year.
At the time, the lead investigator on the case, Tariq Farooqi, said in a statement: “The Met’s investigation remains ongoing, and detectives urge anyone affected by this case, or anyone with information, to come forward and speak with police. Support is also available through the independent charity Rape Crisis by contacting the 24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line.”
Allegations against Brand first emerged in August 2023 following an investigation from The Times, The Sunday Times, and Channel 4’s Dispatches, prompting the police to launch their own probe. He has always denied all the accusations made against him.
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.
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