Russell Brand Pleads Not Guilty to Additional Rape and Sexual Assault Charges

British comedian Russell Brand has pleaded not guilty to additional rape and sexual assault charges related to alleged incidents in London in 2009. These new charges follow earlier allegations dating from 1999 to 2005 involving multiple women. The brief court hearing at Southwark Crown Court focused on recording Brand's pleas, with no evidence presented. Prosecutors authorized the new counts after reviewing further material. A trial for the earlier charges is scheduled for June 2026, with the new charges expected to be addressed then. Brand denies all allegations, maintaining past relationships were consensual.