London, May 2, 2025 – Comedian and actor Russell Brand was granted bail by Westminster Magistrates’ Court today after appearing to face charges of rape, indecent assault, oral rape, and two counts of sexual assault. The charges, which involve four separate women, relate to alleged incidents between 1999 and 2005 in Bournemouth and the Westminster area of London. Brand, 49, did not enter a plea during the brief 12-minute hearing and was ordered to appear at the Old Bailey on May 30 for a plea and trial preparation hearing.
During the hearing, Brand confirmed his name, date of birth, address, and understanding of his bail conditions, which include surrendering his passport and avoiding contact with the alleged victims. Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring granted bail, noting that Brand must keep the court informed of his residence, whether in the UK or the US, where he has been living. Brand, dressed in an open shirt and jeans, thanked the magistrate before leaving the court, accompanied by his solicitor, Oliver Schneider-Sikorsky, who previously defended actor Kevin Spacey in a 2023 sexual assault case.
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The charges stem from a criminal investigation launched in September 2023 following a joint exposé by Channel 4’s Dispatches and The Sunday Times, which detailed allegations of rape, sexual assault, and emotional abuse by multiple women against Brand. The Metropolitan Police charged Brand by post in April 2025 with one count each of rape, indecent assault, and oral rape, as well as two counts of sexual assault. Specific allegations include a rape in a Bournemouth hotel room in 1999 after a Labour Party conference, an indecent assault in 2001 at a television station, an oral rape and sexual assault in Soho in 2004, and a sexual assault between 2004 and 2005 involving a radio worker.
Brand has consistently denied the allegations, stating in a social media video on April 5, 2025, that he has “never engaged in non-consensual activity.” He has described the charges as an attempt to weaponize the law against him and expressed his intent to contest them. Marcus Johnstone of PCD Solicitors, commenting on the case, noted that Brand’s high-profile status might expedite the trial timeline, though rape trials often face challenges due to limited physical evidence in historic cases.
The court appearance drew public attention, with a man shouting, “No one is above the law, Russell Brand!” as police managed crowds outside the courthouse. Brand’s legal team has also raised concerns about a civil sexual assault case in the US, fearing overlap with the UK criminal proceedings. A New York court granted Brand an extension until October 30, 2025, to submit his deposition in the US case.
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The case has sparked varied reactions online. Some posts on X question the timing of the charges, citing Brand’s recent political activism, while others emphasize the importance of withholding judgment until the jury reviews the evidence. The Metropolitan Police have kept the investigation open, encouraging anyone with information to contact them via a dedicated email or the Rape Crisis support line.
Brand’s next court date at the Old Bailey will likely set a trial date and address further administrative matters. Until then, the comedian remains free on bail under strict conditions, as the legal process continues to unfold.