RUSSELL Brand raped a woman in a hotel after a Labour Party conference, dragged another into a toilet and “aggressively” kissed a radio worker, a court heard.
The TV comic is accused of two counts of rape between 1999 and 2005 in Bournemouth and London.
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Brand, 49, is also charged with two charges of sexual assault, and a count of indecent assault during the same dates.
He arrived at Westminster Magistrates’ Court this morning for a first appearance wearing an open-buttoned black shirt and sunglasses.
What was the court told?
- Brand is accused of raping two women in Bournemouth and London
- One was allegedly raped by the comic after a Labour party conference
- Brand also groped another woman at a party in London before dragging her into a toilet and raping her, the court heard
- The charges also allege he “aggressively kissed” a radio worker after grabbing her face
- Brand has since been released on bail to appear in court again on May 30
The star sat in the glass dock where he spoke to confirm his name, date of birth and address.
He was released on bail to next appear at the Old Bailey on May 30.
The court was told Brand allegedly raped one woman in a Bournemouth hotel in 1999 after meeting her at a Labour Party conference.
The court heard he grabbed another woman’s breasts at a party in Soho before pulling her into a toilet and orally raping her in 2004.
Brand is also accused of grabbing a radio worker by the face and kissing her “sloppily and aggressively” against a wall before grabbing her breasts and buttocks.
The presenter flew in from Florida in the US yesterday after last month being charged by post.
The Met Police launched a probe into the TV presenter in September 2023 after The Sunday Times and Channel 4’s Dispatches published an investigation into allegations over his treatment of women.
Following the charge, Brand told his 11.3million X followers that he was “never a rapist”.
He added: “I’ve always told you guys that when I was young and single, before I had a wife and family… I was a fool, man.
“I was a fool before I lived in the light of the Lord… I have never engaged in non consensual activity, I pray you can see that by looking in my eyes.”
At the height of his fame, Brand starred in a number of Hollywood films, including Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Get Him to the Greek.
He was also an in-demand stand-up comic and presented on Big Brother spin-off shows Big Brother’s Big Mouth and Big Brother: Celebrity Hijack.
Brand presented a BBC Radio 2 show between 2006 and 2008 but was forced to resign after he left a “lewd” voicemail for Fawlty Towers actor Andrew Sachs about his granddaughter.
He has in recent years reinvented himself as an anti-woke political podcaster after splitting his time between the US and UK.
Brand, who was previously married to pop star Katy Perry, shares three children with his wife, Laura Gallacher, 37.
Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy, who is leading the investigation, 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 CIT@met.police.uk.
“Support is also available by contacting the independent charity Rape Crisis.”
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