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Russell Brand has been charged with further sexual offences, including one count of rape, the Metropolitan police have said.
The 50-year-old former entertainer has been charged with one count of rape and one of sexual assault of two further alleged victims.
These charges are on top of the charges of two counts of rape, one of indecent assault and two of sexual assault that he pleaded not guilty to in May this year.
Serious allegations of sexual abuse were first reported as part of an investigation by the Channel 4 Dispatches programme and the Sunday Times newspaper.
Testimony gathered from multiple women who had encountered Brand between 1999 and 2005 indicated an alleged pattern of predatory behaviour by the former comedian and television presenter, who has later styled himself as a wellness guru.
He has previously denied the allegations against him, which include raping a woman in the Bournemouth area in 1999, indecently assaulting a woman in 2001, orally raping and sexually assaulting a woman in 2004 and sexually assaulting a woman between 2004 and 2005. The latter three cases are alleged to have happened in the Westminster area of London.
This year, the BBC apologised to staff after an internal investigation found a number of individuals had concerns about the presenter, who had shows on Radio 2 and 6 Music between 2006 and 2008, but they felt unable to raise them because they thought he “would always get his own way”.
The BBC review looked into allegations he had urinated “into cups or bottles while in the studio, throwing objects, allegations of sex on the premises including with competition winners, and exposure while in the studio in front of staff and guests”, as well as comments he made on air, which were featured in the Dispatches and Sunday Times investigation.
Channel 4 and the television production company Banijay also looked into his conduct while he was working for them. Banijay found concerns about Brand’s behaviour were “not properly escalated or adequately addressed”, while Channel 4 found “no evidence” anyone was aware of accusations about him.
Brand, who now lives in Oxfordshire, was born in Essex and made a name as a standup comedian, later becoming the host of Big Brother’s Big Mouth and starring in Hollywood films such as St Trinian’s and Get Him to the Greek.
Since the allegations came to light, Brand has reinvented himself as an alternative Christian wellness influencer and built a large YouTube following, particularly among the alt-right.
He has not commented on the new charges but previously said he had been a sex addict when he was younger but “what I never was, was a rapist”.
Including the additional charges brought on Tuesday, the alleged offences relate to six women.
Brand will appear at Westminster magistrates court on 20 January to answer to the two additional charges. He faces trial for the original five charges, which is due to begin on 16 June next year at Southwark crown court.
DCI Tariq Farooqi from the Metropolitan police, who is leading the investigation, said: “The women who have made reports, including those connected to the two new charges, continue to receive support from specially trained officers.
“The Met’s investigation remains ongoing, and detectives urge anyone affected by this case, or anyone with information, to come forward and speak with police. A dedicated team of investigators can be reached via email at [email protected].
“Support is also available through the independent charity Rape Crisis by contacting the 24/7 rape and sexual abuse support line.”
Speaking after he was charged in April, Brand said: “What I never was, was a rapist. I’ve never engaged in non-consensual activity.”
He added: “I’m now going to have the opportunity to defend these charges in court and I’m incredibly grateful for that.”
