Judge Grants Russell Brand Bail as New Rape and Assault Allegations Are Filed in London Court

A London magistrate granted bail to actor and comedian Russell Brand after prosecutors added new rape and sexual assault charges ahead of a February pretrial hearing.

By yourNEWS Media Newsroom

A London judge on Tuesday granted bail to actor and comedian Russell Brand after prosecutors added new rape and sexual assault charges based on accusations from two additional women, expanding a criminal case that already spans allegations from multiple accusers over several years.

Brand, 50, appeared remotely via video from his home in South Florida during a brief hearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London. During the approximately six-minute proceeding, the court formally entered the new charges, which allege one count of rape and one count of sexual assault in 2009. The amount of bail granted was not disclosed.

The new allegations add to an existing slate of charges against Brand, which include two counts of rape, two counts of sexual assault, and one count of indecent assault involving four women. Those earlier allegations relate to incidents said to have occurred between 1999 and 2005.

Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring told Brand that at least one of the charges can only be tried in a crown court and confirmed that the case will proceed to a pretrial hearing at Southwark Crown Court in London on Feb. 17. Goldspring approved bail ahead of that hearing.

Brand spoke only briefly during Tuesday’s appearance, confirming his name and date of birth. He did not address the substance of the allegations in court.

The entertainer has previously denied all accusations, saying his relationships with the women involved were consensual. He has characterized the claims as a coordinated effort against him, according to reporting by The Guardian.

Details of the allegations span multiple years and locations. One accuser has said Brand raped her in 1999 in southern England. Another alleged he indecently assaulted her in London in 2004. A third woman accused Brand of sexual assault and oral rape in 2004, while a fourth alleged sexual assault between 2004 and 2005. Brand pleaded not guilty to those charges in May.

Brand, a British actor, comedian, and media personality, has appeared in numerous films and television programs. He was married to singer Katy Perry from October 2010 until December 2011. He is currently married to Laura Gallacher, with whom he has two daughters, Peggy and Mabel.