Russell Brand Pleads Not Guilty in Court Over Fresh Sexual Assault Charges Involving Two Women

The exchange lasted only minutes. Russell Brand stood in the dock at Southwark Crown Court on Tuesday, confirmed his name, and entered two more not guilty pleas. Outside, the case continues to widen.

The latest charges concern allegations said to have taken place in London in 2009 and involve two women. They add to five earlier counts spanning 1999 to 2005, all of which Brand denies.

On paper, the hearing was procedural. In reality, it marked another step in a prosecution that now stretches across more than a decade of alleged conduct and six complainants.

How The Case Has Grown

When the first charges were authorised last year, the focus was on alleged offences from the early 2000s. Those included one count of rape in Bournemouth, one of oral rape in 2004, an indecent assault in Westminster, and two sexual assaults said to have occurred in London.

Brand pleaded not guilty in May. A trial date was fixed for 3 June 2026.

The addition of two further allegations, relating to 2009, shifts the timeline forward and complicates the court's scheduling. Prosecutors are now considering whether the new counts should be joined to the existing indictment or heard separately. A ruling on that point is expected in March.

If consolidated, the trial would encompass allegations stretching from the late 1990s through the end of that decade.

From Broadcast Exposé To Criminal Court

The public phase of the case began in 2023 after Channel 4's Dispatches and The Sunday Times reported allegations of historic sexual offences. Brand rejected the claims at the time, stating that any relationships he had were consensual.

In April 2025, the Crown Prosecution Service confirmed charges had been brought following a police investigation. The CPS said it had concluded there was sufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction and that prosecution was in the public interest.

Brand has consistently denied wrongdoing. In video statements released online, he said he had never engaged in non-consensual activity. He described past behaviour as "promiscuous" but rejected accusations of rape or assault.

The new charges, reported by ABC News and other outlets, concern two additional women. Detectives have said specialist officers remain assigned to support complainants throughout proceedings.

What Happens Next

The March hearing will determine whether the 2009 allegations are folded into the June trial or proceed on a separate timetable. Either outcome extends the legal process.

Historical sexual offence cases present particular evidential challenges. Courts must weigh recollection, documentation and witness testimony that may date back decades. The passage of time does not prevent prosecution, but it can shape how evidence is examined.

Brand rose to prominence in the early 2000s through stand-up comedy and television work, including Big Brother's Big Mouth, before moving into film roles such as Forgetting Sarah Marshall and St. Trinian's. Much of the alleged conduct falls within that period of public visibility.

The judge made no comment on the substance of the case at Tuesday's hearing. The focus, as is typical at this stage, remained procedural.

Public Figure, Private Defence

Brand's personal life continues to attract attention alongside the criminal case. He was married to Katy Perry from 2010 to 2012 and later married Laura Gallacher in 2017. The couple have three children.

Those details are not part of the charges, but they frame the wider public interest surrounding the proceedings.

Authorities have emphasised that every allegation is treated seriously, regardless of profile. A defendant, equally, is entitled to the presumption of innocence unless and until proven guilty.

Potential Consequences

If convicted of rape in England and Wales, a defendant faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. Sentencing in historic cases typically depends on the specific circumstances, the number of counts proved and aggravating factors.

Sexual assault and indecent assault offences can carry sentences of up to 10 years or more. Conviction would also require registration on the sex offenders' register and may involve further restrictions imposed by the court.

Each charge is considered individually. Multiple convictions can result in consecutive terms.

For now, however, the legal process remains at the plea stage. Brand denies all allegations. The trial date stands. The next key decision will come in March.