Russell Brand charged with additional rape and sexual assault offences

British broadcaster and comedian Russell Brand has been charged with two further criminal offences, including one count of rape, London’s Metropolitan Police said on Monday. The new charges, authorised by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), relate to allegations made by two additional women and are separate from an earlier set of charges already before the courts.

The developments extend a high-profile criminal case that emerged following a joint media investigation in 2023 and add to the legal proceedings Brand is already facing in relation to alleged offences spanning more than two decades.

New charges authorised by prosecutors

In a statement, the Metropolitan Police said the CPS had approved an additional charge of rape and one charge of sexual assault. The offences are alleged to have taken place in 2009 and involve two different women.

Brand, 50, is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 20 January 2026 in connection with the new charges. Magistrates are expected to consider procedural matters before the case progresses.

Police said the new counts are separate from five existing charges that were previously brought against Brand. He has pleaded not guilty to those earlier allegations.

Existing case and scheduled trial

Brand was already facing five criminal charges: two counts of rape, two counts of sexual assault, and one count of indecent assault. Those allegations involve four women and relate to incidents alleged to have taken place between 1999 and 2005.

A trial on those original charges is scheduled to begin at Southwark Crown Court on 16 June 2026.

According to court documents and police statements, the existing allegations include an accusation that Brand raped a woman in Bournemouth in 1999, as well as claims of indecent assault and sexual assault in the Westminster area of London in the early to mid-2000s. Brand has denied all of the charges.

Origins of the investigation

Detectives began investigating Brand following allegations that became public in September 2023 after joint reporting by the Sunday Times, the Times and Channel 4’s Dispatches. The investigation prompted police to appeal for anyone with relevant information to come forward.

The Metropolitan Police has said its inquiries remain ongoing and that the decision to bring charges followed a review of evidence by specialist prosecutors at the CPS. In the UK, the CPS is responsible for determining whether criminal charges should be brought, applying a two-stage test that assesses both the evidential basis and whether prosecution is in the public interest.

Support for complainants

Detective Chief Inspector Tariq Farooqi of the Metropolitan Police said women who have reported allegations against Brand are being supported by specially trained officers.

Police have repeatedly emphasised that individuals who come forward with allegations of sexual offences are entitled to confidentiality and support, regardless of whether cases proceed to trial. UK authorities encourage anyone affected by sexual violence to contact police or specialist support services.

Legal position and presumption of innocence

Under UK law, defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. Brand has previously denied wrongdoing and has pleaded not guilty to the original set of charges.

Legal proceedings in cases involving multiple allegations over different periods can take several years, particularly where charges are added as investigations continue. Courts typically deal with each set of charges according to strict procedural rules, even when allegations are related.

Brand’s public career

Born in Essex and now living in Oxfordshire, Brand rose to prominence in the early 2000s as a stand-up comedian before becoming a familiar figure on British television and radio. He hosted programmes such as Big Brother’s Big Mouth and presented shows on BBC Radio 2 and BBC 6 Music.

He later moved into film, appearing in several Hollywood productions including Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Get Him to the Greek. In more recent years, Brand has also built a substantial online following through video platforms and podcasts, focusing on commentary and interviews.

What happens next

Brand’s next court appearance will address the newly authorised charges, while preparations continue for the trial already scheduled at Southwark Crown Court. Any decision on whether the cases will be linked procedurally will be made by the courts.

The Metropolitan Police has said it will not comment further while proceedings are active. The CPS has likewise reiterated that criminal cases must be determined by the courts based on the evidence presented.