Russell Brand has pleaded not guilty to sex offence charges including rape and sexual assault.
The comedian and actor is facing one count each of rape, indecent assault and oral rape, as well as two counts of sexual assault, relating to four separate women between 1999 and 2005.
The 49-year-old, wearing a dark grey suit, appeared in the dock at Southwark Crown Court on Friday flanked by two officers. He spoke only to confirm his name and enter his not guilty pleas, standing still and looking straight ahead as he spoke. As the hearing finished, the comedian replaced his sunglasses before exiting the dock and walking slowly past reporters out of the courtroom.
Brand had appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court earlier this month, where he heard details of the allegations against him – including that he allegedly raped a woman in a hotel room when she attended a Labour Party conference.
He is also accused of grabbing a TV worker’s breasts before dragging her into a toilet and allegedly orally raping her.
A radio station worker claims Brand grabbed her by the face, pushed her against a wall and kissed her before allegedly groping her breasts and buttocks.
Another alleged victim accuses him of indecent assault after he allegedly grabbed her forearm and attempted to drag her into a male toilet.
Arriving at court on Friday, Brand held a book in his hand and looked straight ahead without taking questions from reporters.
Leaving the courthouse later, he walked slowly past members of the media and the public gathered outside, before getting into a car that drove off.
Brand was charged by post last month following an investigation by Channel 4 and The Sunday Times, in which several women made allegations against him.
He previously told his 11.2 million followers on X that he welcomed the opportunity to prove his innocence.
On Friday, Brand was granted conditional bail to appear for a pre-trial review hearing on 20 May 2026.
Brand, of Hambleden, Buckinghamshire, is set to stand trial at Southwark Crown Court next year, with a provisional trial date set for 3 June 2026.
The actor presented a BBC Radio 2 show between 2006 and 2008. He also presented Big Brother spin-off shows Big Brother’s Big Mouth and Big Brother: Celebrity Hijack.
He was married to US pop singer Katy Perry from 2010 to 2012 and is now married to Laura Gallacher, the sister of presenter Kirsty, and the pair have two children, Mabel and Peggy.
