Russell Brand Clutches Bible in Court, Pleads Not Guilty to Rape and Assault Charges

Russell Brand Pleads Not Guilty to Rape and Sexual Assault While Clutching a Bible at Southwark Crown Court

Russell Brand, the 50 year old British comedian and self proclaimed born again Christian, appeared at Southwark Crown Court in London on February 24, 2026, where he pleaded not guilty to two new charges of rape and sexual assault.

The charges relate to two women and involve alleged offenses from 2009. One count is for rape and one is for sexual assault, both alleged to have taken place in London.

Brand arrived at court flanked by security, wearing a leopard print shirt with several buttons undone, a fedora, sunglasses, and a cross necklace. He clutched a Bible decorated with colorful bookmark tabs.

Before the hearing began, a dock officer confiscated the Bible from Brand, holding it until after proceedings concluded. Brand was seen showing pages of the Bible to the officer before it was taken.

When asked by reporters about his wellbeing outside the court, Brand replied he felt "blessed."

These two new charges add to the five he already faced, bringing the total to seven charges involving six women. The earlier charges, to which he also pleaded not guilty in May 2025 via video link from Florida, include one count of rape, one count of oral rape, two counts of sexual assault, and one count of indecent assault spanning alleged offenses between 1999 and 2005.

The Metropolitan Police stated in December that "these new charges are in relation to two further women and are in addition to the charges issued to Brand in April 2025 which involved four women."

Brand's bail was renewed by Judge Baumgartner at the end of the brief hearing. A full trial is scheduled to begin on June 16, 2026, at Southwark Crown Court and is expected to last four to five weeks. Brand has consistently maintained that all past relationships were consensual.

The investigation originated from a 2023 joint expose by Channel 4 Dispatches and The Sunday Times. Under British law, the identities of accusers in sexual violence cases are protected.

Bible Confiscated as Russell Brand Faces Seven Sexual Offense Charges in London Court

Brand, who publicly embraced Christianity and was baptized in the River Thames in 2024, has increasingly leaned into his faith during his legal troubles. His decision to carry a Bible into court drew significant media attention, particularly after it was confiscated by court staff during the proceedings.

The Crusader's Opinion

Let me be direct. Carrying a Bible does not make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car. If Russell Brand is truly born again, then praise God for that. But faith is not a costume to wear when the cameras are rolling. Christianity is not a shield you pick up on your way into a courtroom. It is a cross you carry every single day. The world watches when a public figure clutches Scripture while facing accusations of horrific evil, and they judge not just the man but the faith. If Brand is innocent, may the truth vindicate him. If he is guilty, may justice be swift and absolute. Either way, the name of Christ deserves better than to be dragged into a spectacle of leopard print shirts and courtroom theatrics.

Take Action

• Pray for the accusers and for the truth to prevail in these proceedings. Justice belongs to God alone.
• Discuss with your church community: What does genuine Christian conversion look like, and how should the church respond to high profile conversions?
• Support survivors of sexual assault through organizations like RAINN (1-800-656-4673) or the UK's Rape Crisis helpline (0808 500 2222).
• Donate to ministries that support genuine prison and courtroom ministry: Prison Fellowship works to bring the gospel into the justice system.
• Support Christian journalism that covers these stories faithfully. Donate at The Shepherd's Shield.