Russell Brand breaks silence after rape and sexual assault charges
Russell Brand has spoken out after being charged with rape and sexual assault. He has previously denied accusations against him, and said all his sexual relationships were “absolutely always consensual”
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Russell Brand has spoken out after being charged with sexual offences, including rape. Detectives began investigating in September 2023 after receiving a number of allegations, which followed reporting by Channel 4’s Dispatches and The Sunday Times.
The Metropolitan Police have now charged Brand, who is understood to live in the US, by post with one count each of rape, indecent assault and oral rape, as well as two counts of sexual assault, relating to four separate women, and issued a court summons. The alleged incidents took place between 1999 and 2005.
Brand has previously denied the accusations, and said all his sexual relationships were “absolutely always consensual”. Speaking on Friday, he said: “I’ve always told you guys that when I was young and single, before I had my wife and family who are just out of shot over there, my beautiful children, I was a fool, man.
Russell Brand has spoken out after being charged with rape and sexual assault (
Image:
Instagram/russellbrand)
“I was a fool, man, 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 want to thank all of you for your continuing support.
“I want let you know that our show will be on Rumble on Monday, thanks for your support there. And of course I’m now going to have the opportunity to defend these charges in court and I’m incredibly grateful for that. In the meantime you lot, stay free. and we will be continuing to discuss this matter. Praise the Lord.”
Brand is charged with the rape of a woman in 1999 in the Bournemouth area and the oral rape and sexual assault of a woman in 2004 in the Westminster area of London. He has also been charged with indecently assaulting a woman in 2001 and sexually assaulting another woman between 2004 and 2005 – both offences are alleged to have taken place in Westminster, London.
The former actor said he will defend his case in court (
Image:
Instagram/russellbrand)
Detective superintendent Andy Furphy from the Metropolitan Police 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.
“A dedicated team of investigators is available via email at [email protected]. Support is also available by contacting the independent charity, Rape Crisis at 24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line.” Brand is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday May 2.
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.”
In November 2024, the CPS confirmed that detectives from the Metropolitan Police had passed on an evidence file regarding sex offence allegations against Brand.