British comedian Russell Brand entered a plea of not guilty on Tuesday to fresh charges of rape and sexual assault. Brand, who is already facing similar accusations involving four women, refuted the new charges during his appearance at Southwark Crown Court. The alleged incidents reportedly occurred in 2009, as stated by the Crown Prosecution Service.
In April, the 50-year-old comedian was charged with two counts of rape, two counts of sexual assault, and one count of indecent assault. Prosecutors indicated that the allegations span from 1999 to 2005 and involve four women, with one incident in Bournemouth and three in London. Brand had previously pleaded not guilty to these charges in a London court earlier this year.
A trial is set for June and is anticipated to last four to five weeks. A hearing next month will determine if the new allegations will be consolidated with the ongoing case. Brand’s lawyer asserted that additional time was required to address the latest offenses.
During his court appearance on Tuesday, Brand sported a white cowboy hat and sunglasses. When asked about his well-being, Brand, who announced his conversion to Christianity in 2024, responded that he felt “blessed.”
Brand was a familiar face on British television screens in the 2000s, known for his flamboyant style and hosting radio shows for the BBC. The actor from “Get Him To The Greek” gained popularity for his provocative stand-up comedy, struggled with substance abuse, and gradually retreated from mainstream media. He amassed a significant online following by sharing videos on wellness, conspiracy theories, and his religious beliefs.