UK comedian Russell Brand pleads not guilty to further rape, sex assault charges
British actor and comedian Russell Brand has pleaded not guilty in a London court to two additional charges of rape and sexual assault, dating back nearly two decades. Brand, a once high-profile broadcaster and former husband of Katy Perry, denies all accusations.
British comedian and actor Russell Brand pleaded not guilty on February 24, 2026, at London's Southwark Crown Court to two additional charges of rape and sexual assault. These new charges, authorized by the UK's Crown Prosecution Service in December 2025, involve alleged incidents from 2009 with two additional women, bringing the total number of accusers across all cases to six women. Brand arrived at court wearing a leopard-print shirt, fedora, and dark coat while carrying a Bible, and his bail was extended following the hearing.
The latest charges are separate from but in addition to Brand's earlier May 2025 not guilty plea to five initial charges involving four women, which included one rape, one oral rape, two sexual assaults, and one indecent assault dating from 1999 to 2005. Brand is scheduled for trial in June 2026 on these new charges. The investigations began in September 2023 following reports by Channel 4's Dispatches documentary and The Sunday Times newspaper, which detailed allegations spanning 2006 to 2013.
Brand, 50, who was once a high-profile broadcaster and former husband of singer Katy Perry, has transformed his public persona from a left-leaning political campaigner to a conservative guru with millions of social media followers. Following the court hearing, Brand thanked his supporters and emphasized his intent to defend himself in court. UK law protects the identities of the accusers, and police continue to support them through specially trained officers.
No recent Philippine news coverage from major outlets like GMA, ABS-CBN, Inquirer, or Philstar was found regarding this development. The case continues to unfold alongside a separate US civil lawsuit against Brand, with the UK legal proceedings representing the criminal aspect of the allegations that have emerged over the past several years.
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