- Russell Brand has been charged with two further offences: one count of rape and one count of sexual assault.
- The Crown Prosecution Service authorised the new charges after a Metropolitan Police investigation.
- Brand will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 20 January 2026; a trial for earlier charges is set for 16 June 2026.
H2: New charges authorised by CPS
The Metropolitan Police said the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has authorised two additional charges against Russell Brand, including one count of rape and one count of sexual assault. The force said the charges relate to allegations made by two separate women.
Brand, 50, had already pleaded not guilty to five earlier charges — two counts of rape, two counts of sexual assault and one count of indecent assault — connected to four women. Those original charges are due to go to trial at Southwark Crown Court on 16 June 2026.
H3: Court appearance and alleged dates
The new charges will be heard at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 20 January 2026, the Met confirmed. The alleged rape is said to have taken place between 7 February 2009 and 1 March 2009 and relates to one woman. The new count of sexual assault is alleged to have occurred between 31 August 2009 and 1 December 2009 and relates to another woman.
H4: How the investigation began
Detectives launched inquiries following reporting in September 2023 by the Sunday Times, The Times and Channel 4’s Dispatches. Those media investigations prompted a wider police review and led to the initial charges brought against Brand.
H4: Legal status and next steps
The CPS decides whether to authorise charges after reviewing evidence from police. With these new counts added, Brand will face multiple criminal allegations across separate sets of proceedings. He has pleaded not guilty to the earlier charges and denies wrongdoing. As with all defendants, he is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
H3: Related coverage and resources
The BBC has produced a short explainer video on Brand’s court appearances: “Russell Brand’s court appearance explained… in 50 seconds”. (See BBC video: https://www.bbc.com/news/videos/c93gexqjkjko)
H5: What to expect next
Legal teams will prepare for the magistrates’ hearing in January, which may lead to further scheduling decisions for the additional charges. The separate trial date in June 2026 for the original five charges remains in place at Southwark Crown Court.
This is a developing story. Updates will follow as courts confirm listings and prosecutors or police provide further details.
Image Referance: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clyd5ynxvqxo
