...
By Gabe Whisnant and Hollie Silverman
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
Comedian Russell Brand is facing sexual assault charges involving two additional women, London police said Tuesday.
Brand, 50, was charged in April with offenses involving four women and has pleaded not guilty to one count of rape, one count of indecent assault, one count of oral rape and two counts of sexual assault.
Metropolitan Police said Tuesday they have authorized one additional rape charge and one sexual assault charge involving two more women, bringing the total number of alleged victims to six.
Read More on News
The accusations stem from an investigation that began in September 2023, following reports by Channel 4's Dispatches and The Sunday Times, the Metropolitan Police said in a statement.
Newsweek reached out to Brand for comment by email Tuesday. Brand previously denied charges in court earlier this year.
...
The Context
The case against Brand, a prominent figure who straddles both the British and American media landscapes, represents a high-profile legal battle centered on sexual abuse allegations.
The new charges brought against Brand have heightened scrutiny on historic abuse allegations in the entertainment industry, raising questions about accountability, the prevalence of misconduct, and the current and future protections for alleged victims.
What To Know
Brand has been charged with an additional count of rape and a new count of sexual assault involving two more alleged victims, the Metropolitan Police said in a press release Tuesday.
These latest charges bring the total number of women alleging sexual offences against Brand to six, escalating the scope of the legal case that began earlier in 2025.
The police stated that the new alleged rape occurred between February 7 and March 1, 2009, relating to one woman, while the new alleged sexual assault took place between August 31 and December 1, 2009, involving a different woman.
Brand, 50, was initially charged in April 2025 with five offences involving four women. Those charges include two counts of rape, two counts of sexual assault, and one count of indecent assault, all of which he has pleaded not guilty to.
The initial allegations emerged after Channel 4's Dispatches documentary, and a joint investigation by The Sunday Times and The Times newspapers in 2023, spotlighted multiple women's testimony regarding alleged abuse between 1999 and 2005.
The accusations include a rape in 1999 in the Bournemouth area, a 2001 indecent assault in the Westminster area of London, a 2004 oral rape and sexual assault, and a sexual assault between 2004 and 2005, also in the Westminster area, police said.
Detective Chief Inspector Tariq Farooqi of the Metropolitan Police, leading the investigation, said that all women who have come forward continue to receive support from specially trained officers. He urged others with information or who have been affected to contact the police or the independent charity Rape Crisis.
Brand himself has relocated from the United Kingdom to Florida, citing, in a Rumble video, alleged hostility from British institutions towards him since the backlash from the media coverage of the original allegations.
He has remained active as an internet personality, frequently discussing culture, wellness, and politics aimed at American audiences.
Most recently, Brand spoke at Turning Point USA's AmericaFest 2025 in Pheonix, Arizona.
What People Are Saying
Russell Brand, responding to earlier allegations in April 2025: “What I never was, was a rapist. I’ve never engaged in non-consensual activity. I’m now going to have the opportunity to defend these charges in court and I’m incredibly grateful for that.”
Detective Chief Inspector Tariq Farooqi of the Metropolitan Police said in a press release on December 23, 2025: “The women who have made reports, including those connected to the two new charges, continue to receive support from specially trained officers. The Met’s investigation remains ongoing, and detectives urge anyone affected by this case, or anyone with information, to come forward and speak with police. A dedicated team of investigators can be reached via email at CIT@met.police.uk. Support is also available through the independent charity Rape Crisis by contacting the 24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line.”
What Happens Next
Brand will appear before Westminster Magistrates' Court on January 20, 2026, for the newly filed rape and sexual assault charges.
His trial on the original five charges is scheduled to begin at Southwark Crown Court on June 16, 2026. The Metropolitan Police investigation remains ongoing, and additional allegations may result in further legal action.
Update 12/23/25 12:49 p.m. ET: This story has been updated with more information.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines