Russell Brand has been formally charged with rape and sexual assault, following an investigation that began in 2023.
The 50-year-old comedian faced scrutiny after multiple allegations emerged, prompted by a joint investigation conducted by Channel 4’s Dispatches and The Sunday Times.
Now, Russell has been charged with oral rape and two counts of sexual assault over a 7-year-period according to police.
© GettyThe Metropolitan Police said the charges relate to four separate women.
Detective Superintendent 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.
© Getty"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 at 24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line."
Russell is expected to appear in court on 2 May.
Jaswant Narwal, of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), 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.”
Russell's wife Laura Brand, with whom he shares three children, is yet to comment on the allegations.
What do the experts say?
Marcus Johnstone of PCD Solicitors specialises in criminal defence for those accused of sexual offences. Of the allegations, he said: "The allegations made against Russell Brand are serious. When an individual has been accused of multiple counts of rape and assault, the CPS will be under considerable pressure to bring charges and let the case be considered in court. The process is a long way from completion, and we won’t have an indication of the final verdict for many months to come.
"But the seriousness of these claims cannot be overstated. Under the Sexual Offences Act 2003, the maximum sentence for rape is life imprisonment, and sexual assault and indecent assault can carry sentences of up-to 10 years. Aggravating factors like alcohol and drugs would likely be considered, as well as the age and perceived vulnerability of the victims. Certainly, it would be a bad idea to begin a defence by refusing to engage with the justice process, and cooperation with the authorities is advisable.
"Failure to attend court is a serious matter, and individuals living abroad would almost certainly be extradited and held in custody if they refused to return to the U.K. Mr Brand remains innocent until proven guilty, and his defence will be at pains to ensure that his trial is not biased by spurious or excessive press and media attention. He deserves a free and impartial process - and so do his accusers."
What has Russell said in the past about the rape allegations?
The evening before the allegations were made public on Saturday 16 September 2023 Russell said in a YouTube video: "These allegations pertain to the time when I was working in the mainstream, when I was in the newspapers all the time, when I was in the movies. As I've written about extensively in my books, I was very, very promiscuous. Now, during that time of promiscuity, the relationships I had were absolutely always consensual. Watch the video below.
"I was always transparent about that then – almost too transparent – and I'm being transparent about it now as well. And to see that transparency metastasized into something criminal, that I absolutely deny, makes me question: Is there another agenda at play? It feels to me like there's a serious and concerted agenda to control these kinds of spaces and these kinds of voices."
He added that there are "witnesses whose evidence directly contradicts the narratives that these two mainstream media outlets are trying to construct," and that he would not share further details due to the seriousness of the allegations.
What Dispatches and the Sunday Times reported
A joint investigation from the Sunday Times and Channel 4 Dispatches saw five women accuse Russell of sexual assault and rape, as well as coercive and emotional abuse. The allegations date from between 2006 and 2013 during the height of Russell's career. One of the women alleged she was just 16 when she entered into a three-month-long relationship with him.
Two other women claimed that he attacked them when he lived in Los Angeles, with one saying she was treated in a rape crisis centre on the same day and that he had sent her text messages saying he was "very sorry" when she texted him to say: "When a girl say[s] NO it means no."
Another claimed that the comedian threatened to take legal action against her if she went public with her allegations, and one of the women claimed that he was "physically and emotionally abusive" during their time together and that he sexually assaulted her.
The intial investigation from Dispatches and the Sunday Times began in 2020, and as well as talking to the accusers, interviewed other sources including friends and family of his ex-girlfriends, fellow comedians and people who have worked with him on either TV or the radio.
