LONDON (AP) 鈥 British police on Friday charged Russell Brand with rape and sexual assault following an 18-month investigation sparked when four women alleged they had been assaulted by the controversial comedian.
Londonsa国际传媒 Metropolitan Police force said Brand, 50, faces one count of rape, one of indecent assault, one of oral rape and two of sexual assault.
Brand denied engaging in 鈥渘on-consensual鈥 sexual activity.
The alleged offenses involve four women and took place between 1999 and 2005 鈥 one in the English seaside town of Bournemouth and the other three in the Westminster area of central London.
Police said the investigation remains open and urged anyone with relevant information to contact the force.
In September 2023, British media outlets Channel 4 and the Sunday Times published of being sexually assaulted or raped by Brand. The accusers have not been identified.
, author and 鈥淕et Him To The Greek鈥 actor has been interviewed by police about the allegations, which
In a video posted Friday on X, Brand said 鈥淚鈥檝e never engaged in non-consensual activity. I pray that you can see that by looking in my eyes.鈥
He added that "I am now going to have the opportunity to defend these charges in court and I鈥檓 incredibly grateful for that.鈥
Known for his unbridled and risqu茅 standup routines, Brand hosted shows on radio and television, wrote memoirs charting his battles with drugs and alcohol, appeared in several Hollywood movies and was briefly married to pop star Katy Perry between 2010 and 2012.
In recent years, Brand has largely disappeared from mainstream media but has built up a large following online with videos mixing wellness and conspiracy theories. He recently said he had moved to the United States.
Brand is due to appear in a London court on May 2.
Jaswant Narwal, of Britainsa国际传媒 Crown Prosecution Service, said prosecutors 鈥渃arefully reviewed the evidence after a police investigation into allegations made following the broadcast of a Channel 4 documentary in September 2023.
鈥淲e have concluded that Russell Brand should be charged with offences including rape, sexual assault and indecent assault,鈥 Narwal said.
鈥淭he Crown Prosecution Service reminds everyone that criminal proceedings are active, and the defendant has the right to a fair trial.鈥
In January the to staff members who felt unable to complain about Brandsa国际传媒 conduct because of his celebrity status. Brand had two weekly radio shows on the BBC from 2006 to 2008 and worked periodically on a number of short-term projects.
The BBC acknowledged that it was 鈥渃lear that presenters have been able to abuse their positions鈥 .
