Russell Brand ‘sold Oxfordshire pub’ ahead of court trial

The controversial comedian – set to face a rape trial later this year – purchased the Crown Inn in Pishill near Henley in 2020.

He twice applied to turn the 15th century boozer into a recording studio for his online videos and podcasts but was met with fierce resistance by locals.

His first plea was refused after more than 50 neighbours complained and after more complaints were lodged about the second application, Mr Brand withdrew it.

General view of The Crown pub which owned by Russell Brand (Image: SWNS)

The Henley Standard is now reporting the 50-year-old has sold the pub to a local businessman for £975,000 – around £125,000 more than he paid for it.

The local paper reports John Bloomer, group secretary of the National Farmers’ Union, is the new owner.

Residents branded him “absolutely charming”.

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Freddie van Mierlo, the MP for Henley, told the paper: “I’m delighted for residents who had their local pub closed for years by a ‘celebrity’ for the purpose of recording self-promotion and conspiratorial YouTube content.

“I’m so pleased that this much-loved pub is back in good hands.

“I wish the new owners huge success and I’m sure they will be well supported by the community.”

Mr Brand made his name as a comedian in the late 2000s and early 2010s but has since reinvented himself as a podcaster and influencer.

He will face trial over allegations of rape and sexual assault in October.

General view of The Crown pub which owned by Russell Brand (Image: SWNS)

Mr Brand, who has a home in the UK but now lives in the US, is accused of three counts of rape, three charges of sexual assault, and one allegation of indecent assault, with six women alleging crimes dating from 1999 to 2009.

He denies all the claims against him.

Mr Brand, Mr van Mierlo and Mr Bloomer were approached for comment.

The number displayed on the pub’s website is no longer operational.

Brand was first charged in April 2025 with alleged offences against four of the women, and his trial was set to start on June 16 this year at Southwark Crown Court.

Fresh charges involving two new complainants were brought in January and, at a hearing on March, Mr Justice Bennathan agreed to delay the trial until October 12.

The court heard the original trial was scheduled for up to five weeks, but is now expected to last for around two months.

The judge said if Brand’s trial started in mid-June, the court may run out of time to hear it and would struggle to find jurors who could sit through the start of the summer holidays.