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Russell Brand charged with rape and sexual assault Russell Brand charged with rape and sexual assault
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Actor and comedian charged with rape, indecent assault, oral rape and two counts of sexual assault, say policeActor and comedian charged with rape, indecent assault, oral rape and two counts of sexual assault, say police
The comedian and actor Russell Brand has been charged with one count each of rape, indecent assault and oral rape as well as two counts of sexual assault.The comedian and actor Russell Brand has been charged with one count each of rape, indecent assault and oral rape as well as two counts of sexual assault.
Brand will appear in court in London on 2 May, according to the Metropolitan police, which began investigating him in September 2023 after a range of allegations.Brand will appear in court in London on 2 May, according to the Metropolitan police, which began investigating him in September 2023 after a range of allegations.
The force said the allegations related to four separate women, as it appealed for anyone affected by the case to come forward.The force said the allegations related to four separate women, as it appealed for anyone affected by the case to come forward.
It is alleged that Brand raped a woman in 1999 in the Bournemouth area, indecently assaulted a woman in 2001 in the Westminster area of London, orally raped and sexually assaulted a woman in 2004 in Westminster and sexually assaulted a woman in Westminster between 2004 and 2005.It is alleged that Brand raped a woman in 1999 in the Bournemouth area, indecently assaulted a woman in 2001 in the Westminster area of London, orally raped and sexually assaulted a woman in 2004 in Westminster and sexually assaulted a woman in Westminster between 2004 and 2005.
Det Supt Andy Furphy from the Metropolitan police, who is leading the investigation, said: “The women who have made reports continue to receive support from specially trained officers.Det Supt Andy Furphy from the Metropolitan police, who is leading the investigation, said: “The women who have made reports continue to receive support from specially trained officers.
“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.” “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.
“A dedicated team of investigators is available via email at CIT@met.police.uk. Support is also available by contacting the independent charity Rape Crisis.”“A dedicated team of investigators is available via email at CIT@met.police.uk. Support is also available by contacting the independent charity Rape Crisis.”
The Met said detectives had begun investigating in September 2023 after receiving a number of allegations, which followed reporting by Channel 4’s Dispatches and the Sunday Times. The Met said detectives had begun after receiving a number of allegations, which followed reporting by Channel 4’s Dispatches and the Sunday Times.
Brand has previously denied allegations of rape, assault and emotional abuse that have been made against him.Brand has previously denied allegations of rape, assault and emotional abuse that have been made against him.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said in a statement that it had authorised the police to charge Brand with a number of sexual offences. The Crown Prosecution Service said in a statement that it had authorised the police to charge Brand with a number of sexual offences.
Jaswant Narwal, a barrister and prosecutor at the CPS, said: “We carefully reviewed the evidence after a police investigation into allegations made following the broadcast of a Channel 4 documentary in September 2023.Jaswant Narwal, a barrister and prosecutor at the CPS, said: “We carefully reviewed the evidence after a police investigation into allegations made following the broadcast of a Channel 4 documentary in September 2023.
“We have concluded that Russell Brand should be charged with offences including rape, sexual assault and indecent assault.“We have concluded that Russell Brand should be charged with offences including rape, sexual assault and indecent assault.
Narwal added: “The Crown Prosecution Service reminds everyone that criminal proceedings are active, and the defendant has the right to a fair trial. It is extremely important that there be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”Narwal added: “The Crown Prosecution Service reminds everyone that criminal proceedings are active, and the defendant has the right to a fair trial. It is extremely important that there be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”
Brand is believed to have moved to the US, claiming he is being “attacked” and “shut down” by the British authorities. He interviewed Donald Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr, last year in Florida.Brand is believed to have moved to the US, claiming he is being “attacked” and “shut down” by the British authorities. He interviewed Donald Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr, last year in Florida.
The decision to authorise charges follow the confirmation in November 2024 by the CPS that detectives had passed on an evidence file regarding sexual offence allegations against Brand. The decision to authorise charges follows the confirmation in November 2024 by the CPS that detectives had passed on an evidence file regarding sexual offence allegations against Brand.
Channel 4 and the production company Banijay UK also announced they had launched separate internal investigations into his conduct, after the allegations in 2023, with the BBC also reviewing Brand’s time at the corporation.Channel 4 and the production company Banijay UK also announced they had launched separate internal investigations into his conduct, after the allegations in 2023, with the BBC also reviewing Brand’s time at the corporation.
In the Dispatches programme, four women alleged assaults had taken place between 2006 and 2013, a period in which Brand was working for the BBC and Channel 4, as well as starring in Hollywood films.In the Dispatches programme, four women alleged assaults had taken place between 2006 and 2013, a period in which Brand was working for the BBC and Channel 4, as well as starring in Hollywood films.
An investigation, launched by Banijay UK – which bought the company that produced some of the Channel 4 shows Brand worked on – found that informally raised concerns about the comedian and actor’s behaviour while he worked on several of the channel’s programmes were “not properly escalated or adequately addressed”.An investigation, launched by Banijay UK – which bought the company that produced some of the Channel 4 shows Brand worked on – found that informally raised concerns about the comedian and actor’s behaviour while he worked on several of the channel’s programmes were “not properly escalated or adequately addressed”.
The Channel 4 investigation found “no evidence” that staff were aware of accusations about the comedian and actor contained in the Dispatches programme. A BBC review, which was published in January, found a number of people “felt unable to raise” concerns about the presenter.The Channel 4 investigation found “no evidence” that staff were aware of accusations about the comedian and actor contained in the Dispatches programme. A BBC review, which was published in January, found a number of people “felt unable to raise” concerns about the presenter.
Brand, who presented a BBC Radio 2 show between 2006 and 2008, left the role after his on-air prank, now known as Sachsgate, when he left a voicemail for the Fawlty Towers actor Andrew Sachs about his granddaughter. Brand, who presented a BBC Radio 2 show between 2006 and 2008, left the role after his on-air prank that became known as Sachsgate, when he left a voicemail for the Fawlty Towers actor Andrew Sachs about his granddaughter.
The entertainer, who was born in Essex and first started a career in entertainment as a standup comedian, became famous in Britain as the host of the television programme Big Brother’s Big Mouth. The entertainer, who was born in Essex and started a career in entertainment as a standup comedian, became famous in Britain as the host of the television programme Big Brother’s Big Mouth.
He went on to star in Hollywood films such as St Trinian’s and the remake of Arthur. He also delved into politics, endorsing Jeremy Corbyn in the 2015 British general election, but has now emerged as a fervent backer of Donald Trump and has appeared alongside a range of hard-right political commentators.He went on to star in Hollywood films such as St Trinian’s and the remake of Arthur. He also delved into politics, endorsing Jeremy Corbyn in the 2015 British general election, but has now emerged as a fervent backer of Donald Trump and has appeared alongside a range of hard-right political commentators.
In recent years he has focused on podcasting and cultivating followers on video platforms. He has re-invented himself as a Christian, after being baptised in the River Thames in 2024 during a ceremony that also involved the adventurer and broadcaster Bear Grylls. In recent years he has focused on podcasting and cultivating followers on video platforms. He has reinvented himself as a Christian, after being baptised in the River Thames in 2024 during a ceremony that also involved the adventurer and broadcaster Bear Grylls.