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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Amy-Clare Martin

Russell Brand pleads not guilty to further sex offence charges including rape

Russell Brand has appeared in court to deny two further sexual offences, including rape.

The comedian, 50, arrived at Southwark Crown Court in London wearing an animal print shirt, unbuttoned to his lower chest, a black jacket, a light-coloured fedora hat monogrammed ‘RB’ and sunglasses.

He stared intently at journalists as he walked into the courtroom, before he entered the dock carrying a Bible with pages marked with post it notes.

He took off his hat and jacket before he stood to confirm his name and enter not guilty pleas to one count of rape and one count of sexual assault against two women. The fresh charges, which both relate to alleged incidents in 2009, were announced in December.

Releasing him on bail, Judge Mr Justice Bennathan said: “Mr Brand, I am sure you have heard everything we have been talking about. I will renew your bail.”

Under his bail conditions, the star is required to notify the police of any change of address within 48 hours.

The judge said there would be a further case management hearing in March.

Mr Brand has previously denied two counts of rape, one count of indecent assault, and two counts of sexual assault in relation to alleged offences between 1999 and 2005, involving four women.

Russell Brand appeared via video link at a previous hearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in January (Elizabeth Cook/PA)

Mr Brand, who lives in Florida, in the US, but also has an address in Oxfordshire, is accused of raping a woman in a hotel room while she attended a Labour Party conference in Bournemouth, and grabbing a TV worker’s breasts and orally raping her after dragging her into a male toilet, the court heard in May.

He is also alleged to have grabbed a radio station worker’s face, pushing her against a wall and kissing her before groping her breasts and buttocks.

The actor is also accused of indecently assaulting another woman after grabbing her forearm and attempting to drag her into a male toilet.

A trial is scheduled to begin at Southwark Crown Court later this year in relation to the five original charges.

He first appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court last month over the fresh charges.

The former Big Brother’s Big Mouth presenter attended that hearing via video link from Florida, wearing a blue denim shirt unbuttoned to his lower chest. He spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth.

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