Comedian Russell Brand is spotted with his growing family for the first time since rape allegations against him: Star, 48, wore a £1,400 cardigan while visiting swanky Tebay services with wife Laura, two daughters and newborn son

Russell Brand was spotted at a highway gas station with his growing family during a police investigation into rape claims against him.

The comedian, 48, was spotted at the swanky Tebay services on the M6 ​​in Cumbria with wife Laura Gallacher, 36, and their children after spending time in Scotland.

Daughters Mabel and Peggy were accompanied by their brother, probably named Herbie.

Brand sported a gray beard and wore a white vest under a denim shirt, black Adidas track pants and £450 off-white Nike sneakers.

Over this he wore a £1,406 Yves Saint Laurent wool-blend cardigan and a pilot hat.

It is the first time he has been seen with his family since four women publicly accused him in September of rape and sexual assault between 2006 and 2013. In total, Brand denies nine claims.

Last month it was revealed that the disgraced comic was being questioned by detectives investigating 'further' alleged historical sexual offences.

He interviewed conditionally on six charges, following questioning in November on three “non-recent” alleged sex crimes.

It is believed the allegations now being investigated by the Met are different to those made by four women in September.

Brand has always strongly denied the allegations against him, claiming his relationships were “always consensual.”

The allegations are said to have occurred during the height of Brand's fame, when he worked for the BBC and Channel 4 and starred in Hollywood films.

He denies the claims, which include accusations of controlling, abusive and predatory behavior.

Detectives from Scotland Yard are working with officers from Operation Hydrant, a police unit responding to 'non-recent' sexual allegations following the Jimmy Savile scandal.

Detective Inspector Andy Furphy – who is leading the police investigation – said: 'We continue to encourage anyone who believes they have been the victim of a sexual offense, no matter how long ago, to contact us.

'We understand that this may be a difficult step to take, and I would like to reassure that we have a team of specialist officers available to advise and support.'

In November, Channel 4 boss Alex Mahon said the internal investigation into the allegations against the former presenter was still weeks away from completion.

The claims cover the period between 2006 and 2013, when he worked for Channel 4 on Big Brother spin-off shows Efourum and Big Brother's Big Mouth, as well as on BBC programs and in Hollywood films.

The BBC has also launched an investigation into the conduct of Brand, who worked on the BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio 6 Music programs from 2006 to 2008.

It is led by Peter Johnston, the director of editorial complaints.

The review will look at complaints against Brand, what BBC bosses knew and what was done, the broadcaster said.

Prior to the initial allegations against Brand, he strongly denied “very serious criminal allegations.”

He said in a video: 'During that time of promiscuity, the relationships I had were absolutely always consensual. I was always transparent about it then, almost too transparent, and I am transparent about it now.

“When I see that this transparency has metastasized into something criminal, which I absolutely deny, then I wonder: is there another agenda at play?”

Brand said the “very serious allegations” came amid “a litany of astonishing, quite baroque attacks.”