British comedian Russell Brand pleads not guilty to new rape and sexual assault charges
LONDON (AP) — British comedian Russell Brand pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to new counts of rape and sexual assault.
Brand, who was already facing similar charges involving four women, denied the new charges in Southwark Crown Court. The alleged offenses took place in 2009, the Crown Prosecution Service said.
Brand, 50, was charged in April with two counts of rape, two counts of sexual assault and one count of indecent assault. Prosecutors said those offenses involving four women took place between 1999 and 2005 — one in the English seaside town of Bournemouth and three in London. Brand pleaded not guilty to those charges in a London court earlier this year.
A trial scheduled for June is expected to last four to five weeks.
The “Get Him To The Greek” actor, known for risqué stand-up routines, battles with drugs and alcohol, has dropped out of mainstream media in recent years. He built a large following online with videos mixing wellness and conspiracy theories, as well as discussing his religious devotion.
More Stories
Oil jumps after US seizes Iranian ship near Hormuz
Supply risks around the Strait of Hormuz are pushing crude higher, raising fuel costs and economic pressure worldwide Oil prices...
Supply chains breaking: The hidden bottlenecks threatening to bring the global economy to a standstill
The oil price is just the tip of the iceberg that could cause major problems across the globe The surge...
Tube strike chaos piles fresh pressure on London’s beleaguered night-time economy
London’s small and medium-sized businesses are bracing for a punishing week of disruption as London Underground drivers prepare to stage...
BADR hike branded a ‘tax-grabbing assault’ as Britain’s founders eye the exit
Britain’s small and medium-sized businesses have been dealt another blow at the till, with corporate lawyers, financial planners and founders...
Britain to ‘flirt’ with recession as Iran oil shock rattles SMEs
Britain’s small and medium-sized businesses are bracing for one of the most punishing periods since the pandemic, as the fallout...
Craft Gin Club teeters on brink as Dragons’ Den darling pleads with bondholders
Once feted as one of the most successful pitches ever to grace the Dragons’ Den studio floor, Craft Gin Club...
