Russell Brand granted bail after appearing in court charged with sex offences

By Josh Payne and Sam Hall, PA

Comedian and actor Russell Brand has been granted bail after appearing in a London court charged with rape and sexual assault.

Brand spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth, address and that he understood his bail conditions during a short hearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court.

The 49-year-old, wearing an open shirt and jeans, listened intently to the details of the charges as he sat in the dock.

Brand did not speak to reporters as he walked into the court on Friday morning after flying back to the UK from the US for the hearing.

The 49-year-old was charged by post last month with one count each of rape, indecent assault and oral rape, as well as two counts of sexual assault, relating to four separate women.

The charges came following a joint investigation by The Sunday Times, The Times and Channel 4 Dispatches in September 2023 in which several women accused him of rape, sexual assaults and emotional abuse.

Brand was wearing sunglasses and a navy open-buttoned shirt as he arrived at court just before 9.30am.

Photographers surrounded Brand’s car when it pulled up outside the court on Marylebone Road where there was also a police presence.

It took the comedian more than two minutes to walk the short distance from his vehicle to the court door as photographers attempted to get a shot of his arrival.

In a video previously posted on his X account, Brand said he welcomed the opportunity to prove his innocence.

Brand, of Hambleden, Buckinghamshire, will appear at England's Central Criminal Court in London on May 30th.