Russell Brand, the well-known comedian and actor, has appeared in court to face two new charges, including rape. This comes after he had already pleaded not guilty to five previous allegations of sexual offences dating back to between 1999 and 2005.
The 50-year-old former host of Big Brother’s Big Mouth was charged with one count of rape and one count of sexual assault in relation to two more women in December last year. He attended the hearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday via video link from his home in Florida, USA, where he now resides.
During the six-minute hearing, Brand only spoke to confirm his name and date of birth. Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring KC informed him that one of the charges he faces is “indictable only,” meaning it can only be tried in the Crown Court.
The two new alleged offences are said to have taken place in London in 2009, according to court documents. Brand was granted bail and is scheduled to appear at Southwark Crown Court for a plea hearing on 17 February, with the condition that he must notify the police of any change of address.
This is in addition to the five original charges Brand is facing, which include two counts of rape, one count of indecent assault, and two counts of sexual assault. A trial for these charges is scheduled to begin at Southwark Crown Court later this year.
The allegations against Brand came to light following an investigation by Channel 4 and The Sunday Times, in which several women made claims against the actor. He was previously married to US pop singer Katy Perry from 2010 to 2012 and is now married to Laura Gallacher, the sister of presenter Kirsty, with whom he has two children.