Russell Brand Granted Bail Over Rape and Sexual Assault Charges

Russell Brand has been granted bail by a London judge over charges of rape and sexual assault.

Brand, 49, arrived at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in the British capital at around 9.30 a.m. local time on Friday, May 2, wearing a dark denim shirt, sunglasses and blue jeans.

The comedian and actor walked slowly into the dock in London at 10:00 a.m. and spoke only to confirm his name, address and date of birth to Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring, reported multiple outlets, including The Telegraph.

At the close of the 12-minute hearing, Goldspring gave Brand bail and scheduled his next court appearance at London’s Central Criminal Court (known locally as “The Old Bailey”) on May 30.

Brand was initially charged with the crimes by London’s Metropolitan Police on April 4. The charges stem from allegations from four women who allege Brand sexually assaulted them in England between 1999 and 2005.

Of the four women, one says she was raped in 1999 in a town in southern England, while another claims Brand orally raped and sexually assaulted her in London in 2004.

“The women who have made reports continue to receive support from specially trained officers,” said Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy. “The Met’s investigation remains open and detectives ask anyone who has been affected by this case, or anyone who has any information, to come forward and speak with police.”

Brand was previously accused by five women, one of whom was 16 years old, in a 2023 joint investigation by The Sunday Times, The Times and Channel 4 current affairs show Dispatches. 

The alleged incidents published in the investigations took place between 2006 and 2013.

“I’ve received two extremely disturbing letters, or a letter and an email, one from a mainstream media TV company, one from a newspaper, listing a litany of extremely egregious and aggressive attacks,” Brand said on social media prior to the release of the story. “But amidst this litany of astonishing, rather baroque attacks are some very serious allegations that I absolutely refute.”

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org.