On Friday morning, Russell Brand made his first appearance in court. The actor and comedian had flown to the UK from the US, where he now resides. He stands accused of five sexual offenses that include rape and assault of four women. He did not enter a plea during the court appearance but has publicly stated that he is innocent of all charges. Brand appeared in court just before 9:30 a.m.
Four Women Have Come Forward
Russell Brand stands accused of raping a woman in a hotel room after a Labor Party Conference in Bournemouth. Brand, 49, arrived at the court wearing sunglasses, a black shirt, and black jeans. He walked into the courtroom through a crowd of the press. Many members of the media camped outside the courthouse, waiting for Brand to appear.
Once Russell Brand exited his vehicle, a chaotic scene took place as police officers tried to hold back reporters and photographers. Brand wore dark sunglasses and followed slowly behind security as they made their way through the crowd.
Women’s Cases Are Outlined
Inside the court heard that the first offense took place back in 1999 after the conference. Brand met the woman at the event, and the pair went together to a hotel room. The woman alleges that once they were inside the hotel room, Brand removed the woman’s underwear and then raped her.
In the second case, Russell Brand allegedly “indecently assaulted” another woman while they worked at a television station in 2001. The woman alleges that Brand grabbed her arm and dragged her into the men’s bathroom.
A third woman, who was also employed by the television station, alleged that she was raped and sexually assaulted by Brand in Soho at a party in 2004. She claims that he grabbed her breasts then pulled her into a bathroom and orally raped her.
A fourth woman alleges that Brand sexually assaulted her in 2004 while they were working at a radio station. At that time, Russell Brand was working for Channel 4 on Big Brother’s Big Mouth. The woman claims he grabbed her face with both of his hands and shoved her against a wall, where he kissed her “sloppily” and grabbed her breasts and buttocks.
No Plea Entered
Russell Brand did not enter a plea, and he was granted conditional bail by Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring. The case is being transferred to the Old Bailey for a hearing on May 20th, which Brand was told he must attend. Brand thanked the judge and walked out of the courtroom.
Russell Brand Returns To the US
When Brand got outside of the courtroom, things got chaotic with the press again. Russell Brand reportedly returned to his bungalow in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. He was allowed to return to the US as long as he provided the courts with his address. On Wednesday, Brand released a video in which he said he “welcomed the opportunity to defend himself,” and added that “my innocence is indefatigable.”
