British comedian pleads not guilty to sexual offense charges in UK court

By Aysu Bicer

LONDON (AA) - British comedian and actor Russell Brand on Friday pleaded not guilty to five sexual offense charges during a brief hearing at Southwark Crown Court in London.

The 49-year-old formally denied one count of rape, one count of oral rape, one of indecent assault, and two counts of sexual assault.

The charges relate to alleged offenses involving four women between 1999 and 2005.

Brand appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court earlier this month to hear the specifics of the allegations. His trial is set to formally begin at Southwark Crown Court on June 3, 2026.

The charges follow a joint investigation by UK broadcaster Channel 4 and The Sunday Times newspaper, in which several women accused Brand of sexual misconduct.

He has denied the allegations and told his 11.2 million followers on the social media platform X that he welcomed the opportunity to prove his innocence.

Brand gained prominence in the 2000s as a radio host on BBC Radio 2.