British comedian and actor Russell Brand has been formally charged with multiple sexual offenses by the Metropolitan Police, marking a significant development in a case that has spanned years of allegations and investigations. The charges, announced on Friday, April 4, 2025, include one count of rape, one count of indecent assault, one count of oral rape, and two counts of sexual assault, stemming from incidents alleged to have occurred between 1999 and 2005 involving four women.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed that Brand, 49, was charged following an extensive investigation sparked by a September 2023 joint report from Channel 4’s Dispatches and The Sunday Times. The investigation initially brought forward claims from four women who accused Brand of sexual assault and rape between 2006 and 2013, during the height of his fame as a television and radio presenter. However, the charges filed today relate to earlier incidents, with the alleged offenses taking place in Bournemouth and the Westminster area of London.

Jaswant Narwal, Chief Crown Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), stated, “We have today authorized the Metropolitan Police to charge Russell Brand with a number of sexual offenses. This decision follows a thorough review of the evidence provided by the police, and we will now proceed with the case in court.” Brand, who relocated to the United States earlier this year, has been informed of the charges via legal documents sent by post and is scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on May 2, 2025.

The charges break down as follows: one count of rape from an alleged incident in Bournemouth in 1999; one count of indecent assault from an alleged assault in Westminster in 2001; one count of oral rape and one count of sexual assault from an alleged incident in Westminster in 2004; and an additional count of sexual assault from an incident between 2004 and 2005, also in Westminster. The Metropolitan Police emphasized their commitment to supporting the women who came forward, with Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy noting, “Our team has worked tirelessly to investigate these historical allegations, no matter how long ago they occurred.”

Russell Brand has consistently denied all allegations against him, maintaining that his sexual relationships were “absolutely always consensual.” In a video posted to social media prior to the charges, he described the accusations as “very, very hurtful” and part of a broader attack by the “UK media, Government, and judiciary.” Since the initial 2023 exposé, Brand has shifted his public persona, embracing a role as an online commentator and distancing himself from mainstream entertainment. His move to the U.S. earlier this year came amid mounting legal pressure in the UK, though he has not been arrested in connection with these charges.

The allegations first gained widespread attention in 2023 when Dispatches and The Sunday Times detailed claims from multiple women, some of whom described Brand’s behavior as emotionally abusive and controlling. One accuser, who alleged a relationship with Brand when she was 16 and he was 31, claimed he referred to her as “The Child” and exhibited grooming-like behavior. These revelations led to a broader reckoning, with the BBC and Channel 4 removing Brand’s content from their platforms and YouTube suspending his ability to monetize videos.

The news of Brand’s charges has reignited debates on social media platforms like X, where supporters and critics alike have voiced strong opinions. Some fans argue the timing and nature of the charges suggest a targeted effort to silence Brand, who has gained a following for his anti-establishment views in recent years. Others see the charges as a long-overdue accountability for alleged predatory behavior during his time in the spotlight.

As the case moves forward, it promises to be a high-profile legal battle, with implications for Brand’s career and the broader conversation about historical sexual misconduct allegations in the entertainment industry. The Metropolitan Police have indicated that their investigation remains ongoing, leaving open the possibility of further developments.