Thursday, November 21, 2024

Russell Brand ‘could be charged over historic sex offences after police quiz him three times’ over claims – as the Met hands ‘evidence file’ to the CPS

Must read

Russell Brand could be facing charges over alleged historic sex offences following a 13-month inquiry in which the comedian was quizzed by the police three times.

Scotland Yard has asked the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to consider bringing charges against Mr Brand, 49.

The inquiry came after four women made allegations of rape, sexual assault and emotional abuse against Mr Brand in September 2023.

The allegations span from 2006 to 2013 when the comedian was working as a presenter on BBC Radio 2 and Channel 4 and as an actor in Hollywood.

It came following a joint investigation launched by The Sunday Times, The Times and Channel 4’s Dispatches.

Scotland Yard has asked the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to consider bringing charges against Russell Brand, 49 (pictured)

Brand (pictured in 2006) has strongly denied all accusations about his behaviour which allegedly took place at the height of his fame between 2006 and 2013

Brand (pictured in 2006) has strongly denied all accusations about his behaviour which allegedly took place at the height of his fame between 2006 and 2013

It has since been revealed that Russell Brand has been interviewed by the police on three separate occassions

It has since been revealed that Russell Brand has been interviewed by the police on three separate occassions

Mr Brand was first interviewed under caution on November 16, 2023 over three sex offence claims after voluntarily attending a police station.

He was interviewed again on December 14 about a further six historical sex offences and a third interview took place on January 17 this year, The Times reported.

Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy of the Metropolitan Police said: ‘Our investigation continues and a file has now been passed to the CPS.

‘We have a team of dedicated officers providing specialist support to the women who have come forward.

‘We are committed to investigating sexual offences, no matter how long ago they are alleged to have taken place.’

Russell Brand denies any wrongdoing and has said that all his sexual relationships were always consensual.

The comedian turned lifestyle guru, who also worked on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio 6 Music programmes from 2006 to 2008, told former Fox News host Tucker Carlson in a YouTube video earlier this year that the claims made against him were ‘very, very hurtful’.

One of the first women to accuse Brand – referred to as Alice to protect her identity – claimed she was in an ’emotionally abusive and controlling relationship’ with the comedian, then 31, as a teenager for about three months.

Russell Brand is pictured appearing on The Paul O'Grady Show in November 2017

Russell Brand is pictured appearing on The Paul O’Grady Show in November 2017

One of the first women to accuse Brand - referred to as Alice to protect her identity - claimed she was in an 'emotionally abusive and controlling relationship' with the comedian

One of the first women to accuse Brand – referred to as Alice to protect her identity – claimed she was in an ’emotionally abusive and controlling relationship’ with the comedian

Alice, who has branded the star’s alleged behaviour as ‘grooming’, claimed that throughout their relationship he would refer to her as ‘The Child’ and that he gradually became ‘controlling, and then emotionally and sexually abusive’.

She claims: ‘Russell engaged in the behaviours of a groomer but I didn’t know what that was back then. He would try to drive a wedge between me and my parents, taught me to lie to them.

‘I was at my dad’s house and it was 11 o’clock at night. He texted me, I came up with a scenario where I said my friend was ill, and we would role play text message conversations. He had a whole script for me.’

Another woman claimed that Mr Brand sexually assaulted her while she worked with him in LA. She alleged she repeatedly told him to get off her and when he finally did he ‘flipped’.

It was also claimed another woman was sexually assaulted by Brand in the UK and she also accused him of being physically and emotionally abusive towards her.

In the wake of the scandal, a fifth woman filed a report to the Metropolitan Police, claiming she was sexually assaulted by the star in Soho, London, in 2003.

Another woman has accused Brand of locking her in a dressing room and pinning her to a sofa with a ‘glazed’ look on his face.

The alleged incident, as reported in The Sun, was said to have taken place in 2008 when the comic was 33, after a gig in West London.

Russel Brand was accused of rape, assault and emotional abuse as part of a joint investigation by Channel 4's Dispatches programme, The Times and Sunday Times last year

Russel Brand was accused of rape, assault and emotional abuse as part of a joint investigation by Channel 4’s Dispatches programme, The Times and Sunday Times last year

Brand performs at The Hoping Foundation's Starry Starry Night Benefit Evening in 2014

Brand performs at The Hoping Foundation’s Starry Starry Night Benefit Evening in 2014 

One woman also came forward claiming Brand exposed himself to her in an office where BBC Los Angeles operated from in 2008, before going to pre-record a programme for Radio 2 where he appeared to joke about the alleged incident.

And another who was named Sarah to protect her identity, claimed the comic had left her feeling ‘vulnerable and intimidated’ after he allegedly refused to get her a taxi until she performed a sex act.

In recent years, Mr Brand has built up a large audience on social media.

He has more than 11million followers on X (formerly known as Twitter), while he also hosts daily live streams on video site Rumble to hundreds of thousands of viewers.

MailOnline contacted Russell Brand for comment.

Latest article