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Actor and comedian Russell Brand broke his silence after reports that he was facing rape and sexual assault charges by London's Metropolitan Police force on Friday (April 4).
Brand, 49, was reported to be facing one count of rape, one of indecent assault, one of oral rape and two of sexual assault following an 18-month investigation stemming from allegations made by four women, which he denied and vowed to fight.
“I was a fool before I lived in the light of the Lord. I was a drug addict, a sex addict and an imbecile, but what I never was was a rapist,” Brand said in a video on his Instagram account with "My response" as its caption. “I’ve never engaged in non-consensual activity. I pray that you can see that by looking in my eyes.”
“I’m now going to have the opportunity to defend these charges in court and I’m incredibly grateful for that,” he added.
The alleged incidents were reported to have taken place in central London and the seaside town of Bournemouth between 1999 and 2005.
An investigation into the alleged incidents is ongoing and anyone with relevant information is advised to contact London's Metropolitan Police force.
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