Russell Brand — russell brand pleads not guilty to rape and sexual assault charges

russell brand, the 50-year-old broadcaster, actor and comedian, has pleaded not guilty to two further charges: one count of rape and one count of sexual assault. He entered the pleas at Southwark Crown Court in London on Tuesday.

Russell Brand in court

Brand arrived at Southwark Crown Court wearing a fedora-style hat and sunglasses, and carrying a copy of the Bible with pages bookmarked and colourful post-it notes. At times he was described as wearing a leopard-print or tiger-print shirt, with several buttons undone, and on other reports with dangling necklaces and a light-coloured monogrammed fedora; he removed his hat before the hearing and at points had the Bible taken away by a dock officer.

New rape and sexual assault

The two new counts relate to alleged offences in 2009 and concern two women. At the brief plea and trial preparation hearing Brand spoke from the dock to confirm his name and to enter not guilty pleas to both charges. When asked before the hearing how he was feeling, he replied: "Blessed. "

Previous pleas and charges

Brand has previously pleaded not guilty to five other sexual offence charges: two counts of rape, one count of indecent assault and two counts of sexual assault. Those earlier charges relate to alleged offences between 1999 and 2005 in London and Bournemouth and involve four women. With the two new counts added, he has now pleaded not guilty to seven charges in total.

Courtroom procedure and judges

A trial has been scheduled for June to hear the original charges. A hearing will be held to decide whether the fresh allegations should be joined to that case. Recorder Andrew Baumgartner said there would be a case management hearing in March. Separately, Mr Justice Bennathan said there would be a further case management hearing in March and 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, Brand replied: "Yes, your lordship. "

Bail, exits and incidents

Brand was bailed to appear at Southwark Crown Court at a date to be fixed and the judge renewed his bail. After the short hearing he left the courtroom and then left the building; he was picked up in a black Mercedes and was again seen carrying a Bible. As he departed there was a brief scuffle outside between his security and a cameraman.

Investigation, publicity and personal details

Detectives began investigating allegations into Brand following reporting in 2023. Brand has denied the wider allegations in a video posted online the night before publication, saying that all of his relationships had been consensual and accusing the media of a "coordinated attack. " Born in Essex, he rose to fame as a stand-up comedian and became a household name as host of TV shows such as Big Brother's Big Mouth and through his own radio programmes. He presented a radio show between 2006 and 2008 and hosted Big Brother spin-off shows in the 00s.

Brand was charged in December with one count of rape and one count of sexual assault in relation to the two women whose allegations date to 2009. He is due to stand trial later this year in relation to the five original charges announced previously. He was married to the US pop singer Katy Perry from 2010 to 2012 and is now married to Laura Gallacher, the sister of the TV presenter Kirsty; the pair have three children.

The lawyer for Brand told the court his client needed more time to address the further allegations.

All proceedings described took place at Southwark Crown Court in London on Tuesday, with the next case management hearing listed for March and a trial for the original charges scheduled for June.