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The Express Gazette
Monday, October 12, 2026

Russell Brand Faces Trial for Rape and Sexual Assault Allegations

The comedian and actor has denied all charges and will appear in court for a trial expected to last six to eight weeks.

US Politics • 3 hours ago
Russell Brand Faces Trial for Rape and Sexual Assault Allegations

Russell Brand is on trial facing accusations of rape and sexual assault from six women, with allegations spanning a decade. The 51-year-old comedian, broadcaster, and actor has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Brand stated in a previously shared online video, "I'm now going to have the opportunity to defend these charges in court and I'm incredibly grateful for that." He is set to appear at Southwark Crown Court for proceedings that are anticipated to last between six and eight weeks. A jury will hear evidence from both the prosecution and the defense.

Daily Mail journalists Rebecca Camber, Liz Hull, and Caroline Cheetham are reporting on the trial from the court daily. The publication is offering exclusive courtroom content through its Crime Desk newsletter.

Allegations detailed in court filings include Brand raping a woman in a hotel room during a political conference. He is also accused of pinning another woman against a wall at a London radio station before allegedly groping her. Further claims involve the oral rape of a woman during a birthday party at a Westminster bar.

Specifically, Brand is accused of raping a woman at a hotel in Bournemouth in 1999 while she was attending a Labour Party conference. In 2004, he is alleged to have grabbed the breasts of a TV worker before orally raping her in a male toilet. Another allegation states he grabbed a radio station worker's face, pushed her against a wall, kissed her, and then groped her buttocks and breasts.

Brand has consistently denied all allegations and has maintained that he has never engaged in non-consensual sexual activity.

Brand's career includes stand-up comedy, podcasting, and television presenting, such as "Big Brother's Big Mouth." He has also acted in films like "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" and "Get Him To The Greek."

He was married to pop star Katy Perry from 2010 to 2012. Since 2017, he has been married to Laura Gallacher, with whom he has three children. Brand has a home in Florida and previously sold the historic Crown Inn near Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, which he had planned to convert partly into a recording studio for his online broadcasts.


Sources