Comedian and actor Russell Brand has been charged with rape and sexual assault

Russell Brand has been charged with a series of sexual offences by UK police but the British actor and comedian has had his say. See the video.

British comedian and actor Russell Brand has been charged with five offences including rape, sexual assault and indecent assault.

On Friday (Saturday AEDT) the UK’s Metropolitan Police said the 50-year-old from Oxfordshire has been charged with four offences including one count of rape, one count of indecent assault, one count of oral rape and two counts of sexual assault.

The charges come after police launched an investigation into allegations levelled at Mr Brand that were published by UK newspaper The Sunday Times and Channel 4 program Dispatches in September 2023.

Russell Brand has been charged with rape. Picture: Alo Ceballos/FilmMagic

The Met Police said in a statement the allegations include that in 1999 a woman was raped in the Bournemouth area and in 2001 a woman was indecently assaulted in the Westminster area of London.

The allegations also include 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.

Mr Brand is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday, May 2.

Just three hours after the Met Police released details of the charges, Mr Brand posted a 90-second online video on social media wearing a straw hat and open-collared shirt from a sunny location declaring his innocence.

Russell Brand responds to sexual assault charges with a video on X. Picture: X

Russell Brand again denied allegations he sexually assaulted women. Picture: Supplied

“I’ve always told you guys that when I was young and single before I had my wife and family … I was a fool man,” he said.

“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 continued support”.

Mr Brand said he looked forward to defending the charges in court.

My response. pic.twitter.com/wJMGxlwBh0

— Russell Brand (@rustyrockets) April 4, 2025

He also criticised the police and government and said “we live in a time where there is so little trust in the British government”.

“How do you feel about your legal system right now?” Mr Brand said.

“How do you feel about some of the high profile cases that are not being pursued and prosecuted?

“How do you feel about how the Southport murders were handled?

“How do you feel about the government of Keir Starmer?”

In 2024 Mr Brand denied the allegations and said they were “very, very, hurtful”.

Russell Brand will face court in early May. Picture: AFP

He said in an online interview at the time it was “very, very painful” to be accused of “what I consider to be the most appalling crimes”.

The Met Police’s detective superintendent Andy Furphy – who is heading up the investigation – said in a statement on Friday: “The women who have made reports continue to receive support from specially trained officers.

“The Met’s investigation remains open and detectives ask anyone who has been affected by this case, or anyone who has any information, to come forward and speak with police.

“A dedicated team of investigators is available via email at [e-mail].

“Support is also available by contacting the independent charity, Rape Crisis at 24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line.”

British actor Russell Brand married American singer Katy Perry in 2010 but the pair divorced one year later. Picture: AP.

Brand was born in Essex and was a popular television personality through the 2000s before he shot to worldwide fame in Hollywood.

He married American pop singer Katy Perry in 2010 and they divorced the following year.

He then married Laura Gallacher in 2017 and the pair have three children.

In February Mr Brand featured in a video on platform Rumble and said he and his family had moved to the US with reports saying they now live in Florida.

“I don’t live in the United Kingdom any more because I personally have experienced how the media, government and judiciary – if you suddenly become an inconvenience – will find ways to attack and shut you down,” he said in the online video.

Originally published as Comedian and actor Russell Brand has been charged with rape and sexual assault