Russell Brand has been charged with further counts of rape and sexual assault, police have said.

They relate to two further women and are in addition to the charges issued to the comedian and actor in April, which involved four women.

He had been previously charged with two counts of rape, one count of indecent assault and two counts of sexual assault.

Brand has pleaded not guilty to the earlier charges.

He is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 20 January 2026 in relation to the two additional charges.

His trial is scheduled to begin at Southwark Crown Court on 16 June 2026 in relation to the five original charges.

Detective Chief Inspector Tariq Farooqi from the Metropolitan Police, who is leading the investigation, issued an appeal for witnesses.

He said: “The women who have made reports, including those connected to the two new charges, continue to receive support from specially trained officers.

“The Met’s investigation remains ongoing, and detectives urge anyone affected by this case, or anyone with information, to come forward and speak with police.

“Support is also available through the independent charity Rape Crisis by contacting the 24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line.”

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A two-year-old boy has died, and five others have been seriously injured after their broken-down car was hit by another vehicle on the A1 motorway.

The collision occurred on Saturday at about 6.20pm when a Toyota Auris was struck by a Volkswagen Touran in a live lane of the A1 northbound, just past the Stibbington junction.

The boy from London was one of six passengers who were in the Toyota.

The five other passengers from London were taken to Peterborough City Hospital with serious injuries.

A 64-year-old man, the driver of the Volkswagen, has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and has been released on bail until 20 March.

He suffered minor injuries.

Cambridgeshire Police are investigating the incident and appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage.

Sgt David McIlwhan said: “Our thoughts are with the parents and family of this young child who has tragically lost his life in this collision. The family is being supported by specialist family liaison officers.

“I would appeal for anyone who witnessed the collision or has dashcam footage but was unable to stop at the scene, to get in touch.”

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A man has appeared in court charged with drugging and raping his ex-wife over a 13-year period.

Philip Young, 49, formerly of Swindon, has been charged with 56 offences, including multiple counts of rape, against Joanne Young.

He is also charged with administering a substance to allow sexual activity, as well as voyeurism, possession of indecent images of children and possession of extreme images.

Young appeared at Swindon Magistrates’ Court this morning and spoke only to confirm his name and address.

He declined to enter a plea and was remanded in custody until the next hearing at crown court on 23 January.

Five other men have also been charged with sexual offences against Ms Young between 2010 and 2023. The 48-year-old has waived her legal right to anonymity.

The other men are on bail but are due in the same court at 2pm.

They are: Norman Macksoni, 47, of Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire. He is a black British national and has been charged with one count of rape and possession of extreme images.

Dean Hamilton, 47, of no fixed abode. He is a white British national and has been charged with one count of rape and sexual assault by penetration and two counts of sexual touching.

Conner Sanderson Doyle, 31, of Swindon. He is a white British national and has been charged with sexual assault by penetration and sexual touching

Richard Wilkins, 61, of Swindon. He is a white British national and has been charged with one count of rape and sexual touching

Mohammed Hassan, 37, of Swindon. He is a British Asian and has been charged with sexual touching.

The alleged offences took place between 2010 and 2023.