Comedian and actor Russell Brand has said he will return to the UK to fight charges of rape and sexual assault next month, after he told fans he was ‘incredibly grateful’ for the opportunity.
Taking to social media on Friday, Brand denied all the charges against him and said he was looking forward to clearing his name, adding the law was being used as a ‘weapon’ against him.
The Metropolitan Police have charged Brand, 49, who is understood to be living in the US, by post with one count each of rape, indecent assault and oral rape, as well as two counts of sexual assault.
The charges relate to four women and are said to have taken place between 1999 and 2005.
He is accused of 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.
It comes after the comedian was accused of rape, sexual assaults and emotional abuse by several women in a joint investigation by The Sunday Times, The Times and Channel 4 Dispatches in September 2023.
In February, Brand announced that he, his wife Laura Gallacher and their two children had moved to Florida in the US and are now living in a £1.9 million bungalow in Santa Rosa Bach.
Actor and comedian Russell Brand was spotted in public for the first time since facing rape and sexual assault charges against four women in the UK on Friday
Brand moved to Florida with his family in February and was recently pictured smoking cigars with Donald Trump Jr
Since moving to the US, he has been seen mixing with the rich and famous and was even pictured sharing cigars with Donald Trump Jr.
After the torrent of allegations against him became public, he underwent a very public conversion to Christianity and became ingratiated with President Trump’s circle of friends.
Brand attended Trump’s inauguration, and was in February honoured with a ‘Global Defender of Freedom’ award at a black-tie gala ceremony in the ballroom at Mar-a-Lago – the 78-year-old billionaire’s palatial home in Palm Beach, Florida.
The event was hosted by rabid Christian nationalist General Mike Flynn, who was briefly Trump’s security adviser and now runs America’s Future, a charity which fights to promote ‘American values and traditions’.
Since then he has remained stateside while continuing to produce a weekday podcast for his millions of online followers.
But his new life has come crashing down with the announcement of the sex charges against him here in the UK.
Brand is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on May 2.
He told fans in a video on X last night: ‘I was a fool before I lived in the light of the Lord. I was a drug addict, a sex addict and an imbecile.
In a video posted to X, formerly Twitter on Friday afternoon Russell Brand said he has ‘never been a rapist’ and thanked fans for their support
Russell Brand, Robert Kennedy Jr and Dr Mehmet Oz shared a photo together on X, taken in the US, earlier this year
‘But what I never was, was a rapist. I have never engaged in non-consensual activity – I pray that you can see that by looking in my eyes.’
He continued: ‘I’m now going to have the opportunity to defend these charges in court and I’m incredibly grateful for that.’
Should Brand for any reason fail to show at court next month, the UK government could seek his extradition from the US.
This would involve the CPS obtaining an arrest warrant and the warrant being certified by a judge, before the Home Office gives its approval and passes the request to the US.
The decision of whether to accept the request would then be a matter for the US State Department.
If approved, the decision would be considered in the US courts before the Secretary of State, Trump loyalist Marco Rubio, makes the final call.
The star was married to pop singer Katy Perry from 2010 to 2012 – then in 2017 wed Laura Gallacher, the sister of presenter Kirsty, and the pair have three children.
Brand, who presented a BBC Radio 2 show between 2006 and 2008, left the role after his on-air prank, now known as Sachsgate, when he left a ‘lewd’ voicemail for Fawlty Towers actor Andrew Sachs about his granddaughter.
Brand is now married to Laura Gallacher, sister of presenter Kirsty Gallacher – the couple have three children together
He also presented on Big Brother spin-off shows Big Brother’s Big Mouth and Big Brother: Celebrity Hijack.
Metropolitan Police Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy 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 at 24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line.’
Jaswant Narwal of the Crown Prosecution Service said: ‘We have today [Friday] 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. These relate to reported non-recent offences between 1999 and 2005, involving four women.
‘He will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court for a first hearing on Friday 2 May 2025. The Crown Prosecution Service reminds everyone that criminal proceedings are active, and the defendant has the right to a fair trial.
‘It is extremely important that there be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.’
