UK police charge Russell Brand with rape

Police said Russell Brand was charged with one count of rape, one count of indecent assault, one count of oral rape and two counts of sexual assault,.

Comedian Russell Brand poses for photographers before signing copies of his new book entitled "Revolution" in central London, December 5, 2014. (photo credit: REUTERS/SUZANNE PLUNKETT)
Comedian Russell Brand poses for photographers before signing copies of his new book entitled "Revolution" in central London, December 5, 2014.
(photo credit: REUTERS/SUZANNE PLUNKETT)

British police charged actor-comedian Russell Brand with rape and a multiple counts of assault over a number of allegations between 1999 and 2005, a police statement on Friday said.

Brand, 50, the former husband of US pop singer Katy Perry and once one of Britain's most high-profile comedians and broadcasters, had repositioned himself in recent years as an internet social commentator.

Police said Brand, who lives in Oxfordshire, southern England, was charged with one count of rape, one count of indecent assault, one count of oral rape and two counts of sexual assault, and that the charges relate to four separate women.

"The Met's investigation remains open and detectives ask anyone who has been affected by this case, or anyone who has any information, to come forward and speak with police," the statement said.

Comedian Russell Brand signs a copy of his new book entitled ''Revolution'' for fan Amber Smith of Hastings, in central London, December 5, 2014. (credit: REUTERS/SUZANNE PLUNKETT)
Comedian Russell Brand signs a copy of his new book entitled ''Revolution'' for fan Amber Smith of Hastings, in central London, December 5, 2014. (credit: REUTERS/SUZANNE PLUNKETT)

In 2023 the Sunday Times newspaper and Channel 4 TV's documentary show "Dispatches" reported that four women had accused Brand of sexual assaults, including a rape, between 2006 and 2013.

Brand responded to the announcement of the charges in a post on X.

Brand has previously stated that he had never had non-consensual sex.