Russell Brand’s village pub ‘goes into lockdown’ and is sealed off with security fencing in wake of rape and sexual assault scandal
Russell Brand’s village pub has been ‘locked down’ as it is closed off by security fencing in the wake of his rape and sexual assault scandal.
Locals claim the hessian-lined barriers were put in place around the Grade II listed pub this morning, with three security guards outside and as many as six men inside.
Brand bought the Crown Inn in Pishill, near his luxury home in Henley-on-Thames, in December 2021 – where it has since been temporarily closed.
It comes after allegations published in The Sunday Times and on Channel 4’s Dispatches several women accused him of abusive and predatory behavior including rape, sexual assault and emotional abuse between 2006 and 2013.
‘When we drove past this morning, they were putting on some burlap cladding. It looked like a bag covering the front,” one woman told the Oxford Mail.
Locals claim the hessian-lined barriers were put in place around the Grade II listed pub this morning, with three security guards outside and as many as six men inside
Planning permission is required if you wish to erect a new fence if it is located next to a highway used by vehicles and is more than one meter high or if part of the site is within the grounds of a listed building
Brand bought the Crown Inn in Pishill, near his luxury home in Henley-on-Thames, in December 2021 – where it has since been temporarily closed. Pictured: Sign on the door of the Crown Inn reading: ‘Pub temporarily closed’
It comes after allegations published in The Sunday Times and on Channel 4’s Dispatches several women accused him of abusive and predatory behavior including rape, sexual assault and emotional abuse between 2006 and 2013.
‘It felt confined. As we slowed down to look, the man who had set it down stopped to look at us.
‘I saw three security men in Hi-Vis behind it. There were also a lot of people in the building, about six or so.”
She added, “I think because he’s inside, they don’t want any prying eyes.”
The last time Brand applied for planning permission for the pub was in 2022 – when he appealed to change the use of the garage to a recording studio.
Planning permission is required if you want to erect a new fence if it is located next to a highway used by vehicles and is more than one meter high or if part of the site is within the boundaries of a listed building.
The application – filed by Pablo Diablo’s Legitimate Business Firm, of which he is the sole director – was withdrawn in November of the same year.
The property consultants who assisted Brand with this application have confirmed they do not work on projects for the Crown Inn.
The former 15th century coaching inn features a café garden, outdoor seating area, parking, detached barn, stable building, two-bedroom cottage and garage.
The 15th century former coaching inn features a pub garden, outdoor seating area, parking, detached barn, stable block, two-bedroom cottage and garage
The last time Brand applied for planning permission for the pub was in 2022 – when he appealed to change the use of the garage to a recording studio
The application stated that the pub would remain temporarily closed ‘while plans are underway to refurbish the building and formulate the nature of the new establishment.
‘The intention is to reopen the café in the long term.’
Ahead of the reopening, they added that the pub would be ‘partly occupied by staff working for the applicant on a freelance basis.’
They added: ‘The applicant is under extreme time pressure to start work due to the planned launch of a new show on September 25 which will be recorded at the proposed studio.’
Brand launched his daily show Stay Free with Russell Brand on September 28, 2022 – just three days after it was said the recording studio would be needed.
Brand’s pub came under fire shortly after he bought it as rumors spread that he was planning to turn it into a vegan restaurant.
The teetotal strip angered locals, although these claims were refuted by the council.
‘We’ve heard he’s planning to turn the pub into a vegan restaurant. Why would anyone want that?’ said a local resident The sun.
Brand’s pub came under fire shortly after he bought it as rumors spread that he was planning to turn it into a vegan restaurant
The teetotal strip angered locals, although these claims were refuted by the council
‘He clearly never intended to use the pub as a pub.
‘He doesn’t even drink alcohol. Why buy a cafe if you don’t like booze?’
The Metropolitan Police have said they will speak to the media following their investigation, but added that at this time the force has “not received any reports in relation to” the allegations of sexual assault detailed in the article or documentary.
It comes as Banijay UK, which produced Big Brother’s EForum and Big Brother’s Big Mouth in the early 2000s, revealed it had also ‘launched an urgent investigation’ into the alleged behavior of the 42-year-old comedian who produced the programs between 2004 and 2004 presented. 2006.
Former staff members who worked on the shows have claimed Brand made them ‘act like pimps’ by finding out the number of women in the audience and passing them notes from the presenter.
Brand, who has denied all allegations and insists all relationships were ‘consensual’, was dropped by a charity dedicated to ending violence against women in light of the allegations.