Russell Brand recap: Comedian set to face trial next year after pleading not guilty rape and sexual assault charges

Russell Brand has now left Southwark Crown Court, having had his bail continued ahead of trial next year.

Brand said nothing to journalists and waiting members of the public as he walked to the Mercedes-Benz, which swiftly departed from the court.

Russell Brand has left Southwark Crown Court after his short plea hearing this morning.

The comedian said nothing as photographers shouted out to him, before he climbed into a black Mercedes Benz, which made a U-turn and immediately left the area.

Flanked by court officers, friends and his lawyer, he walked calmly past the crowd of journalists, bloggers and members of the public – some of whom shouted questions such as ‘Russell, what do you think of the court case?’

Russell Brand remains on bail ahead of his trial in June next year – with conditions to provide his UK and US addresses to the court and to notify the court of any change in address.

During the short hearing, Judge Tony Baumgartner reminded Brand that any failure to attend the trial could result in being taken into custody – or a seperate offence.

Once the ten-minute hearing had concluded, Brand slowly reached down for his sunglasses and placed them back over his eyes.

The door to the dock was opened for him and he stared straight ahead as he walked slowly past the packed press bench.

The court had previously heard that some of the alleged victims will give evidence behind a screen.

Brand stood with his hands clasped behind his back as he loudly responded ‘not guilty’ as each charge was read to him.

To recap, count one is an allegation of raping a woman between September 1, 1999, and October 1, 1999.

Count two is an indecent assault against a second alleged victim, said to have happened between January 1 and December 31, 2001, and involved grabbing her arm and dragging her towards a male toilet.

The third count is an alleged sexual assault between July 1 and July 31, 2004, and allegedly involved Brand groping the breasts of a third woman.

Count four is one of rape allegedly committed against the same woman during the same timeframe.

The final count is one of sexual assault against a fourth woman between May 1 2004 and September 30, 2005, and involved unwanted kissing and sexual touching.

The trial is fixed for June 3, 2026, and is expected to last for four to five weeks.

Brand has entered not guilty pleas to all five counts.

Judge Tony Baumgartner reminded the court that the four complainants in this case have automatic lifelong anonymity as the alleged victims of sexual offences.

Brand, wearing a black blazer over a black striped shirt, has entered the dock at Southwark Crown Court and is sat flanked by two dock officers.

Court 2 at Southwark Crown Court is packed full of journalists from around the world – some of whom queued outside the courtroom since the building opened at 8.30am.

Brand’s father, Ron, is sitting in the well of the court next to a friend.

Russell Brand said nothing to the waiting media, some of whom called out his name as he walked into Southwark Crown Court.

Brand, who has converted to Christianity, had a small golden cross around his neck, and wore a long dark coat over a black and white pinstriped shirt.

He was flanked by his lawyer, Oliver Schneider-Sikorsky, who previously successfully defended the actor Kevin Spacey against sex assault allegations in 2023. Sikorsky can be seen on the right in the last picture above.

Russell Brand has arrived at Southwark Crown Court for his plea hearing.

He arrived in a black Mercedes Benz, which drew up outside the court before photographers and broadcasters ducked and dived amongst each other to get images of the star as he came in.

Dressed in black in an open shirt, and wearing gold sunglasses, Brand said nothing to the waiting media as he walked inside.

The media were kept clear of the entrance by police officers and metal fencing either side of the court entrance.

Last month, the Metropolitan Police charged Brand – who lives in Florida – by post with one count each of rape, indecent assault and oral rape, as well as two counts of sexual assault, relating to four different women, and issued a court summons.

The alleged incidents took place between 1999 and 2005.

He is charged with the rape of a woman in 1999 in the Bournemouth area and the oral rape and sexual assault of a woman in 2004 in the Westminster area of London.

Essex-born Brand was also charged with indecently assaulting a woman in 2001 and sexually assaulting another woman between 2004 and 2005. Both offences are alleged to have taken place in Westminster.

Criminal charges were brought against Brand following a joint investigation by The Sunday Times, The Times and Channel 4 Dispatches in September 2023.

He has denied any wrongdoing in public statements – but will enter formally pleas to the charges today.

Good morning, and welcome to our live coverage as Russell Brand is set to appear in court to enter pleas over charges of rape and sexual assault.

The 49-year-old is expected to appear at Southwark Crown Court (pictured) this morning.

He was accused of multiple sex offences and emotional abuse by several women in a joint investigation by The Sunday Times, The Times and Channel 4 Dispatches in September 2023.

Brand has denied any wrongdoing and said all his sexual relationships were consensual.

Stick with us for the latest updates with the Mail’s crime correspondent George Odling reporting from Southwark Crown Court alongside Jon Brady and Jamie Bullen in London.