Comedian and actor Russell Brand was charged with rape, indecent assault, and sexual assault by U.K. police on Friday.
What are the charges assigned to Russell Brand?
The London Metropolitan Police will be charging Brand with one count of rape, one count of indecent assault, one count of oral rape, and two counts of sexual assault following an investigation that began on the comedian over a year ago.
In a statement made on Friday by police (via Deadline), they said that they have “issued a charge and requisition” to Brand and that the investigation remains open as they are still open to receiving any information from those who may have been impacted.
“The women who have made reports continue to receive support from specially trained officers,” said DS 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. A dedicated team of investigators is available via email at CIT@met.police.uk.”
Brand has responded to the charges made against him by U.K. police. In a video posted to X, the comedian said that he has been a “drug addict, sex addict, and an imbecile” throughout his life, but has never been a rapist.
“I’ve never engaged in non-consensual activity. I pray that you can see that by looking in my eyes,” Brand said, while also lashing out against British police, saying later in the video that “we’re very fortunate, I suppose, that this is happening at a time where we know that the law has become a kind of weapon to be used against people.”
Brand also said that he was grateful to have his day in court to “defend these charges.”
My response. pic.twitter.com/wJMGxlwBh0
— Russell Brand (@rustyrockets) April 4, 2025
The investigation came following reports by the U.K.’s Channel 4 and the Sunday Times, where Brand was alleged to have engaged in various issues dating back to 1999. The charges from the police relate to four different women and allege that Brand raped a woman in Bournemouth in 1999, indecently assaulted a woman in Westminster in 2001, orally raped and sexually assaulted a woman in Westminster in 2004, and sexually assaulted a woman in Westminster between 2004 and 2005.
According to Deadline’s report on the arrest, Brand is set to appear in the Westminster Magistrates’ Court on May 2, 2025. Brand has not been living in the United Kingdom but in the U.S. for some time. However, police in the United States could detain the actor and extradite him to the United Kingdom should the country request it.
