LONDON (AP) — British police on Friday charged Russell Model with rape and sexual assault following an 18-month investigation sparked when 4 ladies alleged they’d been assaulted by the controversial comic.
London’s Metropolitan Police drive mentioned Model, 50, faces one rely of rape, certainly one of indecent assault, certainly one of oral rape and two of sexual assault.
The alleged offenses contain 4 ladies and happened between 1999 and 2005 in central London and the English seaside city of Bournemouth.
Police mentioned the investigation stays open and urged anybody with related info to contact the drive.
In September 2023, British media retailers Channel 4 and the Sunday Instances printed claims by 4 ladies of being sexually assaulted or raped by Model. The accusers haven’t been recognized.
The comic, writer and “Get Him To The Greek” actor has denied the allegations, saying his relationships had been “always consensual.”
Recognized for his unbridled and risqué standup routines, Model hosted exhibits on radio and tv, wrote memoirs charting his battles with medicine and alcohol, appeared in a number of Hollywood motion pictures and was briefly married to pop star Katy Perry between 2010 and 2012.
Lately, Model has largely disappeared from mainstream media however has constructed up a big following on-line with movies mixing wellness and conspiracy theories. He lately mentioned he had moved to the USA.
Model is because of seem in a London courtroom on Could 2.
Jaswant Narwal, of Britain’s Crown Prosecution Service, mentioned prosecutors “rigorously reviewed the proof after a police investigation into allegations made following the published of a Channel 4 documentary in September 2023.
“We have concluded that Russell Brand should be charged with offences including rape, sexual assault and indecent assault,” Narwal mentioned.
“The Crown Prosecution Service reminds everyone that criminal proceedings are active, and the defendant has the right to a fair trial.”
In January the BBC apologized to workers members who felt unable to complain about Model’s conduct due to his celeb standing. Model had two weekly radio exhibits on the BBC from 2006 to 2008 and labored periodically on a lot of short-term initiatives.
The BBC acknowledged that it was “clear that presenters have been able to abuse their positions” prior to now.
