British prosecutors have added two more criminal counts against comedian Russell Brand, raising the total number of accusations to six.
New Charges
The Crown Prosecution Service announced on Tuesday that Brand faces one additional count of rape and one of sexual assault, each linked to a separate woman. The alleged incidents occurred in 2009.
Existing Charges
Brand, 50, was previously charged in April with two counts of rape, two counts of sexual assault and one count of indecent assault. Those allegations stem from an 18-month investigation that began after four women claimed they had been assaulted by the comedian.
Prosecutors said the earlier offenses took place between 1999 and 2005-one in Bournemouth, England, and the other three in London. Brand pleaded not guilty to those charges in a London court earlier this year.
Court Timeline
Brand is scheduled to appear on Jan. 20 to face the new charges. A trial for the combined case is set for June next year and is expected to last four to five weeks.
Brand’s Response
In a social media video, Brand said, “I was a fool before I lived in the light of the Lord,” he said in a social media video. “I was a drug addict, a sex addict and an imbecile. But what I never was a rapist. I’ve never engaged in nonconsensual activity. I pray that you can see that by looking in my eyes.” He welcomed the opportunity to prove his innocence.
Legal Context
The Associated Press does not name the victims of alleged sexual violence, and British law protects their identity from the media for life.
Key Takeaways
- Two new rape and assault charges added, bringing total accusations to six.
- Brand has pleaded not guilty to earlier charges and faces trial in June.
- He publicly denies all allegations, citing personal transformation.
The case underscores the seriousness of the allegations against Brand, who has stepped back from mainstream media in recent years while building a following online with wellness and conspiracy content.
