Russell Brand pleads not guilty to rape and sexual assault charges

Russell Brand has told media in London that he felt “blessed” after pleading not guilty to two further sexual offences, including rape, during his latest court appearance.

The British comedian and actor, 50, was flanked by security as he arrived at Southwark Crown Court this week, having returned to his home country from his new life in Florida to appear in person.

When asked by Sky News UK how he was feeling after the brief hearing, he responded simply: “Blessed.”

Brand also took out a copy of the Bible and began reading it before the hearing, but it was confiscated by the dock officer until the case finished.

In court, Brand pleaded not guilty to two further sexual offences, including rape, having previously denied two counts of rape, one count of indecent assault and two counts of sexual assault during an earlier court appearance.

Those charges relate to alleged offences between 1999 and 2005, involving four women.

In court, Brand was responding to accusations relating to alleged incidents in London.

Brand was charged after a joint investigation by Channel 4 and the Sunday Times in which several women made allegations against him.

Brand is accused of raping a woman in a hotel room in the English seaside town of Bournemouth, orally raping a TV worker after dragging her into a toilet and groping a radio station worker after pushing her against a wall.

He has consistently denied having non-consensual sex since the allegations were first made public.

He is due to face trial this year.

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