Comedian and actor Russell Brand arrives at court after being charged with rape and sexual assault

Russell Brand has been granted bailed after appearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court, charged with sexual offences including rape.

The 49-year-old comedian, actor and author - who has most recently been based in the US - was charged by post last month with one count of rape, one count of indecent assault, one count of oral rape and two counts of sexual assault in connection with incidents involving four separate women between 1999 and 2005. The allegations were first made in a joint investigation by The Sunday Times, The Times and Channel 4 Dispatches in September 2023.

The star, who is over 6ft tall, wore a black shirt which was unbuttoned to his mid-chest, black jeans and sunglasses. He slowly made his way into the court's main entrance, surrounded by a scrum of journalists and photographers.

Remaining composed and looking around as he walked, he didn't speak or respond to any of the questions shouted at him as he went. There was also a police presence.

The comedian has denied the accusations and said he has "never engaged in non-consensual activity". Appearing before Senior District Judge Paul Goldspring, Brand, who removed his sunglasses once inside, stood to confirm his name and address.

He then sat while the charges were read to the court. Brand is charged with the rape of a woman in 1999 in the Bournemouth area and the oral rape and sexual assault of a woman in 2004 in the Westminster area of London.

The 2004 sexual assault charge alleges the actor touched the woman's breasts without her consent. He is also accused of indecently assaulting a woman in 2001 by "grabbing her arm and dragging her towards a male toilet" and sexually assaulting another woman between 2004 and 2005 - both offences are alleged to have taken place in Westminster, London.

The judge sent the case to the Crown Court - informally known as the Old Bailey - and told Brand he would be obliged to attend on 30 May. Brand was given conditional bail, and told he must supply both his US and UK addresses to the court by 4pm today.

When asked if he understood his bail conditions, Brand replied, "Yes". On leaving the court, Brand thanked the judge.

In a video posted on X after he was initially charged, Brand told his followers: "I am now going to have the opportunity to defend these charges in court, and I'm incredibly grateful for that." In a video referencing the court case posted on social media on Thursday, he said he welcomed the opportunity to prove his innocence and was "going to [his] country right now"..