COMEDIAN Russell Brand was yesterday charged with rape and sexual assaults against four women.

Police posted sex assault charges to Brand at his Florida home — and he says he will return to the UK to face the claims.

The comic, 49, is accused of rape, indecent assault and sexual assault between 1999-2005.

The summons orders him to attend Westminster magistrates’ court in London on Friday, May 2.

Brand said yesterday: “I was a drug addict, a sex addict, and an imbecile. But what I never was, was a rapist.”

It’s understood Scotland Yard has been ready to charge him for some time but he has not been in the UK for a year.

He was interviewed several times by police following an investigation by the Times and Channel 4’s Dispatches in September 2023 revealed claims against him.

After talks with police, it is understood Brand’s lawyers have promised he will fly back for the court hearing.

He is charged with the rape of a woman in Bournemouth, Dorset, in 1999.

The other alleged offences are said to have taken place in Westminster.

He is accused of indecent assault there in 2001.

He is accused of the oral rape and sexual assault of a woman in 2004.

Finally, he is alleged to have sexually assaulted a woman between 2004 and 2005.

In his video posted on X yesterday Brand added: “I’ve never engaged in non-consensual activity.

“I pray that you can see that by looking in my eyes.”

He added: “I’m now going to have the opportunity to defend these charges in court and I’m incredibly grateful for that.”

Earlier, senior CPS lawyer Jaswant Narwal said: “We have today authorised the Metropolitan Police to charge Russell Brand with a number of sexual offences.

“We carefully reviewed the evidence after a police investigation into allegations made following the broadcast of a Channel 4 documentary in September 2023.

“He will appear at Westminster magistrates’ court for a first hearing on Friday May 2, 2025.”

The Met said its investigation remains open and anyone affected can speak with its officers.

Former Big Brother’s Big Mouth host and radio star Brand was married to singer Katy Perry from 2010-12.

He wed Laura Gallacher in 2017 and they have three children.

Now teetotal and a born-again Christian, Brand has reinvented himself in the US as a podcaster and conspiracy theorist.

He has become a favourite of the ultra right and is part of President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago set.

On Wednesday, he attended a concert by Christian worship singer Brandon Lake in Charleston, South Carolina.