British authorities have brought new counts of rape and sexual assault against comedian Russell Brand, who is already facing similar charges involving four women.
The United Kingdom’s Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said on Tuesday that the new charges – one count of rape and one of sexual assault – against Brand were in relation to two further women. The alleged offences took place in 2009, the CPS said.
Brand, 50, had already been charged in April with two counts of rape, two counts of sexual assault and one count of indecent assault. The charges were brought after an 18-month investigation launched when four women alleged they had been assaulted by the comedian.
Prosecutors said these offences took place from 1999 to 2005, one in the English seaside town of Bournemouth and the other three in London.
Brand pleaded not guilty to those charges in a London court.