Controversial British comedian and actor Russell Brand has formally pleaded not guilty to a series of serious sexual offence charges brought against him in the United Kingdom. The charges, which span incidents allegedly occurring between 1999 and 2005, involve four women and include counts of rape, oral rape, indecent assault, and sexual assault.
Brand, 49, appeared before Southwark Crown Court in London on May 30, 2025, where he denied all five charges during a brief but closely watched hearing. The case follows months of investigation and public speculation, especially after initial accusations emerged during a joint media investigation in 2023 that reignited scrutiny of his past behaviour.
The UK’s Crown Prosecution Service formally filed the charges earlier this year, and Brand was first brought before Westminster Magistrates’ Court on May 2, 2025, where he was granted conditional bail. He has consistently maintained his innocence, calling the allegations part of what he terms a “coordinated media attack.”
According to court documents, the alleged offences occurred between 1999 and 2005, a period that overlaps with Brand’s rise to fame as a TV presenter and comedian. The trial is now scheduled to commence on June 3, 2026, and is expected to last four to five weeks. Legal analysts say the proceedings could be one of the most high-profile celebrity trials in recent British legal history, given Brand’s past fame, global fanbase, and the public nature of the accusations.
While the UK Metropolitan Police continue to encourage other potential victims to come forward, Brand has used his social media platforms to dispute the claims, asserting that all past relationships were consensual and questioning the motivations behind the allegations.
Brand, who transitioned in recent years into alternative media and podcasting, has seen many of his partnerships and sponsorships dissolved following the accusations. YouTube demonetized his channel in 2023, and several public appearances were cancelled in the aftermath.
Public reaction remains sharply divided. Supporters argue that Brand deserves the presumption of innocence until proven guilty, while critics view the trial as a necessary reckoning in the post-#MeToo era of celebrity accountability.
The upcoming trial is expected to feature detailed witness testimonies, forensic evidence, and high media attention, particularly given the historic nature of the allegations and Brand’s once-powerful platform in British entertainment.