Comedian and actor Russell Brand has been accused of sexually assaulting one woman by touching her breasts and engaging in inappropriate behavior with another by grabbing her arm and pulling her into a men's room, according to court documents.
Brand, 49, who is believed to be living in the US, was charged by mail last week with one count of rape, indecent assault and oral rape, and two counts of sexual assault against four different women.
The investigation began after several women accused Brand of rape, sexual assault and emotional abuse in September 2023 as part of a joint investigation by The Sunday Times, The Times and Channel 4 Dispatches.
It is currently unclear whether Brand will appear at Westminster Court on Friday, but in a video posted on X following his allegations, the comedian said: “I will now have the opportunity to defend myself in court and I am extremely grateful for that.”
He was also served with a summons to appear in court.
Court documents detailing the charges state that Brand is accused of indecently assaulting a woman in 2001 when he “grabbed her by the arm and pulled her into a men's toilet” and sexually assaulting another woman in Westminster, London, in 2004 when he touched her breasts without consent.
Brand is also accused of orally raping a woman he was accused of sexually assaulting in 2004.
The comedian is also accused of raping a woman in 1999 in the Bournemouth area and sexually assaulting another woman between 2004 and 2005 in Westminster.
Brand, who hosted the show on BBC Radio 2 from 2006 to 2008, resigned after an on-air incident now known as Sachsgate, in which he left an “inappropriate” voicemail for Fawlty Towers actor Andrew Sachs about his granddaughter.
In the 2000s, he also took part in the Big Brother spin-offs Big Brother: Big Mouth and Big Brother: Celebrity Hijack.
From 2010 to 2012, the TV and film star was married to American pop singer Katy Perry, but he is now married to Laura Gallagher, sister of presenter Kirsty, and the couple have two children, Mabel and Peggy.
If you are experiencing any of the issues raised in this article, you can contact the 24-hour National Rape Helpline on 1800-77 8888, use text messaging and webchat at drcc.ie/services/helpline/ or visit the Rape Crisis Help website.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
