Russell Brand: russell brand pleads not guilty to two more sexual offences

Russell Brand has pleaded not guilty to two further charges of rape and sexual assault, the 50-year-old confirmed at Southwark Crown Court on Tuesday. The plea increased the total number of counts he denies to seven as he remains on bail.

Russell Brand in court

The 50-year-old broadcaster, actor and media personality appeared at Southwark Crown Court in London to enter his pleas. He spoke from the dock to confirm his name and his latest not guilty pleas. Observers noted he arrived wearing a fedora-style hat, sunglasses, and a patterned shirt; accounts from separate hearings describe him in a leopard print shirt with several buttons undone, a partially unbuttoned tiger-print shirt, dangling necklaces and a light-coloured monogrammed fedora hat, and a dark jacket in another description.

New charges from 2009

Brand pleaded not guilty to one count of rape and one count of sexual assault, both alleged to have taken place in 2009 and said to relate to two women. He was charged in December with those two counts, the court heard. In the courtroom he confirmed the not guilty pleas to the two most recent charges.

Previous allegations and count totals

Brand had previously pleaded not guilty to five other sexual offence charges announced in April last year: two counts of rape, one count of indecent assault and two counts of sexual assault in relation to alleged offences between 1999 and 2005 involving four women. That means he has now pleaded not guilty to seven charges in total.

Hearings, bail and judges

A trial has been scheduled for June to hear the original five charges. A hearing will be held to decide whether the new 2009 allegations should be joined to that case. Recorder Andrew Baumgartner said there would be a case management hearing in March. At a separate hearing Mr Justice Bennathan told Brand: “Mr Brand I’m sure you’ve heard everything we’ve been talking about. I will renew your bail. ” When reminded of his bail conditions and asked if he understood, Brand replied: “Yes, your lordship. ” Brand was bailed to appear at Southwark Crown Court at a date to be fixed.

Items, conduct and courtroom moments

Multiple accounts note Brand carried a copy of the Bible into the court building; descriptions say the Bible was stuffed with post-it notes and had various pages bookmarked. One account says a dock officer took the Bible away before the hearing started, and that Brand removed his hat in court. As he left the courtroom he put on sunglasses and clutched the Bible while departing with his legal team and four men who had been sitting in the public gallery. Outside the building a brief scuffle was reported between his security and a cameraman. He was later picked up in a black Mercedes and could once again be seen carrying a Bible as he left the building.

Investigations and earlier reporting

Detectives began investigating allegations into Brand following reporting in 2023. The investigation and subsequent charges followed that reporting, and Brand’s lawyer told the court his client needed more time to address the further allegations.

Background and personal details

Brand was born in Essex and rose to fame as a stand-up comedian. He became known as the host of shows including Big Brother’s Big Mouth and presented radio programmes on stations including Radio 2 and 6 Music. He went on to establish a film career, appearing in films including Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Get Him To The Greek. Brand was married to the US pop singer Katy Perry from 2010 to 2012. He is now married to Laura Gallacher, the sister of the TV presenter Kirsty, and the pair have three children.

When asked how he was feeling ahead of the hearing, one report records Brand replying: "Blessed. " Ahead of and during the proceedings he has denied the allegations. The night before publication of earlier reports, he posted a video online denying the claims, saying that all of his relationships had been consensual and accusing the media of a "coordinated attack. "

Brand remains on bail and will return to Southwark Crown Court for further case management in March and for the trial on the original charges in June.