Comedian and actor Russell Brand appeared in a London court on Friday on multiple charges of sexual assault, including two counts of rape.
His appearance at Westminster Magistrates' Court was the first, primarily procedural step in what is likely to be a long criminal case. It's a month after British prosecutors charged Brand with one count of rape, one oral rape, two sexual assaults and another indecent assault.
Prosecutors said in a news release last month that he was charged with “related to a non-received crime reported between 1999 and 2005 involving four women.”
Court documents related to Friday's hearing were one of the sexual assault charges related to a woman who said Brando touched her breasts, and that it involves a woman who said Brando dragged her into a man's toilet.
Brand denied all the fees. In a video posted to his social media account in April, he said he “has never engaged in unconsensual activities” and that he looks forward to protecting himself in court.
In the UK, the first trial in a criminal trial is “mainly administrative,” said Stuart Nolan of the Law Society, an organisation representing British lawyers. On Friday, Nolan said the judge would simply introduce the case to a high court called the Crown Court, which deals with more serious crimes.
Brand will also be asked to confirm his name, address and date of birth, but Nolan added.
Nolan said the plea hearing will occur in about a month, but the actual trial could only begin “a year from now” due to the backlog of cases within the UK's judicial system.
Brand became a British star in the early 2000s, with stand-up shows and appearances as a TV and radio host. He then gained fame in the United States after the period covered by the charges. He has appeared in films such as “Forget Sara Marshall” (2008) and “Getting Greek (2010).”
In recent years, Brand has become well known for his conspiracy-oriented YouTube videos. Almost 7 million users subscribe to his channel. There, Brando posted clips about politics and news events, including the war in Ukraine.
Under British law, the press cannot identify who will be prosecuting sexual assault accusations unless they choose to waive their right to anonymity. After the charges are filed, strict rules also prevent the reporting of information that could potentially harm the jury at trial.
