British comedian Russell Brand has entered a plea of not guilty to fresh charges of rape and sexual assault. Brand, who is already facing similar accusations involving four women, refuted the new charges during his appearance at Southwark Crown Court. The alleged incidents are reported to have occurred in 2009, according to the Crown Prosecution Service.
In April, the 50-year-old comedian was charged with two counts of rape, two counts of sexual assault, and one count of indecent assault. The accusations span between 1999 and 2005, with one incident in Bournemouth and three in London. Brand previously pleaded not guilty to these charges in a court appearance earlier this year.
A trial is set for June, expected to run for four to five weeks. A hearing next month will determine whether the new allegations will be linked to the existing case, with Brand’s lawyer requesting additional time to address the latest offenses.
Brand, sporting a white cowboy hat and sunglasses, expressed feeling “blessed” when questioned about his well-being upon arriving at court. The comedian, who declared his conversion to Christianity in 2024, was a prominent figure on British television in the 2000s, known for his flamboyant style and BBC radio hosting.
Despite his past notoriety, Brand has withdrawn from mainstream media in recent years due to struggles with substance abuse. He has since garnered a significant online following for his content blending wellness tips, conspiracy theories, and discussions on his religious beliefs.