Russell Brand is being charged with rape and sexual assault in the U.K. The Metropolitan Police confirmed in a release Friday that the comedian, 49, had been charged with rape, indecent assault, oral rape and two counts of sexual assault. A first court appearance is scheduled for May 2.

Russell Brand, comic turned commentator, is charged with multiple counts of rape and assault stemming from incidents alleged to have happened from 1999 to 2005.

British police charged actor-comedian Russell Brand with rape and multiple counts of assault over a number of allegations between 1999 and 2005, a police statement on Friday said.