On Friday, May 9, 2025, Russell Brand, the 49-year-old comedian and actor, formally pleaded not guilty to five charges, including rape, oral rape, indecent assault, and two counts of sexual assault, at London’s Southwark Crown Court.
The Russell Brand charges, involving allegations from four women between 2006 and 2013, were addressed in a brief hearing. As reported by BBC News, the trial was scheduled for June 3, 2026, due to court delays.
Accompanied by lawyer Oliver Schneider-Simon, who defended Kevin Spacey in 2023, Brand denied all accusations. The charges stem from a Metropolitan Police investigation launched in September 2023, following a Channel 4 Dispatches and The Sunday Times exposé.
The reports detailed claims of rape, sexual assault, and emotional abuse by five women, four anonymously. Brand, granted bail after his May 2 appearance at Westminster Magistrates Court, has consistently rejected the claims, stating on social media, “I’ve never engaged in non-consensual activity.”
Russell Brand pleads not guilty to charges of rape and sexual assault in London court https://t.co/UQJ146DTER pic.twitter.com/9FWryxL3zq
— New York Post (@nypost) May 30, 2025Brand’s Public Persona and Response
Known for films like Forgetting Sarah Marshall and his marriage to Katy Perry, Brand has shifted to political commentary, gaining a U.S. following and embracing Christianity. Supporters, including Tucker Carlson, have called the charges “political,” urging intervention. The sexual assault allegations have polarised opinions, amplified by Brand’s high-profile status.
The London case at Southwark Crown Court, where Spacey was acquitted, drew significant attention. The 2026 trial will test Brand’s legal defence and public image, potentially influencing celebrity accountability and media scrutiny discussions.
