It wasn’t a film set. Not a red carpet. Not even one of his long, intense online videos.
Instead, Russell Brand stepped out of a car outside Southwark Crown Court in London this week, holding a Bible marked with sticky notes, wearing a fedora hat, dark coat, and a partly unbuttoned leopard-print shirt with a silver cross around his neck. Reporters waited quietly. Cameras clicked fast.
For someone who once dominated British TV screens, this was a very different spotlight.
And what happened inside that courtroom now adds another serious chapter to a case that has been growing for nearly two years.
What Did Russell Brand Plead in Court This Week?
On Tuesday, February 24, 2026, the 50-year-old comedian and actor appeared at Southwark Crown Court in London. He pleaded not guilty to two new criminal charges:
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One count of rape
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One count of sexual assault
The alleged offences relate to two separate women and are said to have taken place in London in 2009.
Inside the courtroom, Brand spoke only to confirm his name and enter his plea. The hearing was brief. His bail was renewed, and he left without making a statement about the case itself.
As he walked into court earlier, when asked how he was feeling, he told reporters he felt “blessed.” That comment caught attention because Brand has publicly said he became a Christian in 2024 and has been speaking more openly about faith.
Under British law, the identities of the women accusing him are protected.
How Many Charges Is Russell Brand Facing Now?
This is where things become more complex.
The two new charges announced this week are in addition to earlier charges already heading toward trial.
Back in May 2025, Brand pleaded not guilty to five other charges involving four different women. Those earlier allegations relate to incidents said to have taken place between 1999 and 2005.
The previous charges include:
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One count of rape
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One count of oral rape
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Two counts of sexual assault
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One count of indecent assault
Last month, he also appeared in court in connection with additional allegations and again pleaded not guilty.
According to the Metropolitan Police, the new charges relate to two further women and were added after continued investigation. In total, police say Brand is now facing sexual offence allegations involving six women.
A joint investigation by The Sunday Times and Channel 4 in 2023 first brought public attention to accusations from five women who alleged rape, sexual assault, and emotional abuse dating back to the early 2010s. At the time, Brand responded in a YouTube video saying he “absolutely refutes” the claims.
What’s with these people and sexual predators
— Bricktop_NAFO (@Bricktop_NAFO) February 23, 2026
Russell Brand has charges reported against him for:
• 2 counts of rape
• 1 count of oral rape
• 1 count of indecent assault
• 3 counts of sexual assault
By 4 different women…Turning Point USA/MAGA love rapists and Pedophiles pic.twitter.com/N0GA2lpfc4
When Is Russell Brand’s Trial?
A trial to hear the original charges is set for June 16, 2026. The proceedings at Southwark Crown Court are expected to be extensive, with the trial currently slated to last four to five weeks.
However, the court will hold another hearing next month to decide whether the new allegations should be added to that same trial. Brand’s lawyer has argued that he needs more time to respond properly to the latest charges.
So for now:
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Trial date set for June 16, 2026: (Duration estimated at 4–5 weeks).
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Bail continues: Brand remains out of custody under specific conditions.
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Decision pending on "Joinder": The court must still decide whether all charges will be heard together.
Nothing has been decided about guilt or innocence. The case is still in its legal process.
How Did Russell Brand Go From TV Fame to Court Headlines?
For many readers, especially younger ones, it might feel strange to see Brand in legal news instead of entertainment sections.
Born in 1975 in Essex to working-class parents, Brand began performing stand-up comedy as a teenager. He later became an MTV presenter and a popular television host in the UK. During the 2000s, he was a regular face on British screens and known for his flamboyant style and quick, unpredictable humor.
He also presented a show on BBC Radio 2 between 2006 and 2008 but resigned after an on-air prank involving a voicemail left for actor Andrew Sachs caused public backlash.
Brand later moved into Hollywood films, appearing in:
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Forgetting Sarah Marshall
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Get Him to the Greek
In 2010, he married American pop star Katy Perry. The marriage lasted 14 months before ending in divorce in 2012.
By the early 2020s, Brand stepped away from mainstream entertainment. He built a large online audience, discussing politics, media criticism, and what he describes as anti-establishment ideas. Once known as a left-leaning political voice, he has since repositioned himself as a conservative-leaning commentator with millions of followers.
That shift has made his legal situation even more widely discussed across social media.
What Happened During His Court Appearance?
This week’s hearing was short but closely watched.
Brand arrived wearing sunglasses and distinctive clothing, carrying a Bible with several pages marked. Inside court, he spoke briefly to confirm his identity and deny the charges.
He denied:
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Raping one woman in London in 2009
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Sexually assaulting another woman in the same year
Judge Baumgartner, presiding over the hearing, formally renewed Brand’s bail. The judge also reminded the comedian of his specific bail conditions, to which Brand replied, “Yes, your lordship.” He remains out of custody as the case proceeds.
There was no dramatic exchange. No emotional speech. Just a formal legal step forward.
Why Russell Brand Case Is Making Headlines Everywhere in 2026
There are a few clear reasons.
First, Russell Brand was once one of the most high-profile comedians in Britain. His career included television, radio, Hollywood films, and global media attention.
Second, the allegations span a long period, from the late 1990s to 2009. That timeline covers the peak of his fame in British entertainment.
Third, the case sits at the intersection of celebrity culture, social media influence, and ongoing conversations around sexual misconduct in the entertainment industry.
It is also important to say this clearly: Brand has denied all allegations against him. The case has not yet been tested at trial.
The legal system in the UK presumes innocence unless guilt is proven in court.
Russell Brand Court Update Important Details
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What Happens Next in the Russell Brand Court Case
The next major step is a Case Management Hearing scheduled for March. This is a critical legal junction where the court will rule on "joinder"—deciding whether these two new allegations from 2009 should be joined with the original charges to be heard in a single, combined trial this June.
After that, the case will move toward the full trial, where evidence will be examined and arguments presented before a jury.
Until then:
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Brand remains on bail: Renewed by Judge Baumgartner during today's hearing.
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Investigations continue: The Metropolitan Police are continuing to process information related to the case.
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Court procedures are ongoing: Legal teams will spend the next few months preparing for the June start date.
For fans who once knew him mainly for comedy, movies, and wild interviews, this is a very different kind of headline.
For now, what is confirmed and up to date as of February 24, 2026, is this: Russell Brand has pleaded not guilty to two new charges of rape and sexual assault in London. The full trial is currently scheduled to begin on June 16, 2026, and is expected to last between four and five weeks.
The next few months will decide how this story continues.
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Source(Image / Thumbnail): variety.com/2026
