Russell Brand Faces New Assault Charges in London

Russell Brand appeared at Southwark Crown Court on Tuesday, where he entered a plea of not guilty to two new charges of sexual assault, one of which is rape. These charges were initially announced in December and are linked to alleged incidents that occurred in 2009, according to the BBC. A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police Service stated that victims are receiving support and urged anyone with information to come forward as the investigation continues.

Brand is already facing five previous charges, including rape, indecent assault, oral rape, and sexual assault, related to alleged incidents involving four different women between 1999 and 2005. He pleaded not guilty to these charges in May. The trial for these initial allegations is slated to begin on June 3 at Southwark Crown Court. Discussions are ongoing regarding whether the two new charges will be added to the existing trial.

The comedian, known for his roles in films like 'Arthur', has also gained attention for his YouTube channel, where he has been accused of promoting conspiracy theories. Detectives began investigating Brand in September 2023, following a joint investigation by The U.K. Times, The Sunday Times, and Channel 4's Dispatches. Prior to the report's release, Brand denied all claims in a YouTube video, stating his past relationships were consensual.