Russell Brand to appear in court charged with rape and sexual assault – live updates

Brand says he ‘welcomes’ rape and sex assault charges claiming ‘I know I’m innocent’ ahead of landing in the UK for his first hearing this morning.

The 49-year-old landed at Heathrow at 6.45am yesterday after flying first class from Atlanta, USA, and is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court today.

After landing he was taken to the Windsor Suite for VIPs who pay £4,000 to arrive or depart without going through public areas, the Sun reports.

And in a video posted to X, ahead of travelling back to the UK, Brand said: ‘I want a trial because I know that I’m innocent.’

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Last month, the Metropolitan Police charged Brand – who lives in Florida – by post with one count each of rape, indecent assault and oral rape, as well as two counts of sexual assault, relating to four different women, and issued a court summons.

The alleged incidents took place between 1999 and 2005, and Brand is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court today.

He 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.

Essex-born Brand was also 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.

Criminal charges were brought against Brand following a joint investigation by The Sunday Times, The Times and Channel 4 Dispatches in September 2023.

The scene outside Westminster Magistrates Court this morning

Hello and welcome to our live coverage as actor and comedian Russell Brand appears at court charged with rape and sexual assault.

The 49-year-old is expected to appear at Westminster Magistrates Court this morning.

He was accused of multiple sex offences and emotional abuse by several women in a joint investigation by The Sunday Times, The Times and Channel 4 Dispatches in September 2023.

Brand has denied any wrongdoing and said all his sexual relationships were consensual.

Stick with us for the latest updates with the Daily Mail’s Crime Editor Rebecca Camber reporting from Westminster Crown Court alongside Jamie Bullen in London.