Russell Brand pleads not guilty to rape and sexual assault charges

russell brand has pleaded not guilty to two further charges — one count of rape and one count of sexual assault — at Southwark Crown Court in London, bringing the total number of charges he denies to seven. The appearance came as judges set a March case management hearing and a June trial date for the earlier allegations.

Russell Brand enters pleas at Southwark Crown Court

The 50-year-old broadcaster, actor and media personality appeared at Southwark Crown Court on Tuesday to enter the not guilty pleas. He spoke from the dock to confirm his name and his latest not guilty pleas and was bailed to appear at Southwark Crown Court at a date to be fixed. Reporters and court staff noted his clothing: a fedora-style hat, sunglasses, and a tiger- or leopard-print shirt described variously as partially unbuttoned or with several buttons undone, sometimes worn with a dark jacket.

New 2009 allegations and prosecution statement

The Crown Prosecution Service said the two further charges relate to alleged offences in 2009 and involve two women. Prosecutors say Brand was charged in December with one count of rape and one count of sexual assault linked to those allegations. With those new counts added to the five earlier charges, Brand has now pleaded not guilty to seven charges in total.

Earlier charges, scheduled June trial and March case management hearing

Brand has previously denied two counts of rape, one count of indecent assault and two counts of sexual assault in relation to alleged offences said to have taken place in London and Bournemouth between 1999 and 2005, involving four women. 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, and Brand's lawyer told the court that his client needed more time to address the further allegations.

Two judges were named in coverage of proceedings: Recorder Andrew Baumgartner said there would be a case management hearing in March, and Mr Justice Bennathan also set 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. " The judge reminded Brand of his bail conditions, to which Brand replied, "Yes, your lordship. "

Bible, courtroom conduct and items removed before the hearing

Multiple accounts noted that Brand carried a copy of the Bible into the court building with pages bookmarked and colourful post-it notes, and that he clutched the Bible as he left the courtroom. One account said a dock officer removed the Bible before the hearing started and that Brand removed his hat in the courtroom. He put on his sunglasses as he left the building and departed in a black Mercedes.

There was a brief scuffle outside the court between members of Brand's security team and a cameraman as he left. Ahead of the hearing, when asked how he was feeling, Brand replied, "Blessed. "

Investigation, denials and public profile

Detectives began investigating allegations into Brand following media reporting in 2023. Brand denied the claims the night before publication in a video posted online, saying that all of his relationships had been consensual and accusing the media of a "coordinated attack. "

Born in Essex, Brand rose to fame as a stand-up comedian and became known as a host of TV spin-off shows such as Big Brother's Big Mouth and Big Brother: Celebrity Hijack in the 00s, and for presenting a radio show between 2006 and 2008. He went on to a film career that includes roles in Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Get Him to the Greek. 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 couple have three children.