Comedian and actor Russell Brand has been released on bail after appearing in a London court to face serious charges related to sexual offences. The 49-year-old attended Westminster Magistrates’ Court, where he only spoke to confirm his name, birthday, and addresses. He also told the judge he understood his bail conditions.

Brand, who now lives in the United States, was officially charged last month with several offences. These include one count each of rape, oral rape, and indecent assault, and two counts of sexual assault. The charges are connected to alleged incidents involving four women between 1999 and 2005.

These claims were first revealed in 2023 through a joint investigation by The Sunday Times, The Times, and Channel 4’s Dispatches.

In court, Brand wore a black shirt with the top buttons undone, black jeans, and sunglasses. He stayed calm and didn’t answer questions from the crowd of reporters and photographers. There was also a police presence at the court.

He is accused of raping a woman in 1999 in Bournemouth and committing oral rape and sexual assault on another woman in 2004 in Westminster. One of the charges claims he touched a woman’s breasts without her permission. Other charges say he grabbed a woman’s arm and pulled her toward a men’s toilet in 2001 and sexually assaulted another woman in Westminster between 2004 and 2005.

Brand strongly denies all the accusations and says he has never done anything without consent. He thanked the judge before leaving the court.

The case has now been passed on to the Crown Court (also known as the Old Bailey), where Brand must appear again on May 30.

After being charged, Brand posted a video on social media saying he was happy to finally defend himself in court and prove his innocence.

Russell Brand is known for his time as a BBC Radio 2 host and as a presenter on Big Brother spin-off shows. He was once married to singer Katy Perry and is now married to Laura Gallacher. They have two daughters together.