Comedian Russell Brand is facing charges of rape, indecent assault and sexual assault between 1999 and 2005, relating to four separate women.
According to a BBC report, Brand has been interviewed a number of times by police since an investigation by media outlets the Sunday Times, The Times and Channel 4's Dispatches in September 2023 revealed multiple allegations against him.
In a statement, London’s Metropolitan Police indicated it has written to Brand to inform him that he was being charged with one allegation of rape, one allegation of indecent assault, one of oral rape and two further counts of sexual assault.
The police’s allegations include: In 1999 a woman was raped in the Bournemouth area; in 2001 a woman was indecently assaulted in the Westminster area of London; in 2004 a woman was orally raped and sexually assaulted in the Westminster area of London, and; between 2004 and 2005, a woman was sexually assaulted in the Westminster area of London.
The BBC reports Jaswant Narwal, of the Crown Prosecution Service said: "We have today authorised the Metropolitan Police to charge Russell Brand with a number of sexual offences.”
"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. These relate to reported non-recent offences between 1999 and 2005, involving four women.”
"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."
In the letter sent by the Metropolitan Police, Brand was told to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on May 2, but he is believed to be in the United States.
“In these situations, where a suspect may be overseas, prosecutors seek to agree to the defendant's return. If there is no co-operation from a suspect, authorities then consider seeking extradition,” reports the BBC, adding, "The Metropolitan Police's Det. Supt. Andy Furphy, 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.”
Brand’s stand-up comedian career started in England, leading him to fame in broadcasting, hosting national television and radio programmes.
His career included hosting radio shows on the BBC as well as hosting television programmes on Channel 4 and starring in Hollywood films.
The New York Post reports Brand has denied the charges, saying “I was never a rapist,” and has vowed to fight the charges.
Brand, who has become a wellness guru and found religion, said on Instagram, “I was a fool before I lived in the light of the Lord. I was a drug addict, a sex addict and an imbecile, but what I never was, was a rapist. I’ve never engaged in non-consensual activity. I pray that you can see that by looking in my eyes.”
“I’m now going to have the opportunity to defend these charges in court and I’m incredibly grateful for that,” he added, according to the New York Post.
