Russell Brand found guilty of rape and three counts of sexual assault in London
A Southwark Crown Court jury cleared the actor of two additional rape charges, leaving him to face sentencing on Monday.
By Bianca Herrera ·
Russell Brand faces a lengthy prison term after a London jury convicted him of rape and sexual assault on Thursday. The 51-year-old comedian and actor was found guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault at Southwark Crown Court. He was acquitted of two further rape charges and one count of attempted indecent assault.
Brand had denied the allegations, arguing that the encounters were consensual or that the claims were fabricated. Prosecutors, who described him as a ruthless sexual predator, argued that he exploited his fame and status. The charges cover incidents spanning from 1999 to 2009, a period during which Brand transitioned from stand-up comedy to television presenting and Hollywood stardom.
The court heard testimony from six complainants, all of whom are entitled to lifelong anonymity. None of the women knew one another. They all reported the incidents to police after a 2023 television documentary and press reports surfaced anonymous allegations against the actor.
The jury found Brand guilty of raping a woman in 2009. She testified that they met after a gig and had a consensual encounter in his dressing room. Days later, she went to his home for consensual sex, during which she said he anally raped her. She told the court that Brand instructed her to clean up the blood and mess afterwards.
He was also convicted of sexually assaulting a woman at a London bar in 2004, where he allegedly grabbed her breasts at a party. In a separate 2009 incident, the jury found him guilty of assaulting a woman working on a promotional project. The court heard he demanded a massage and then put his head between her legs in front of two colleagues. A fourth conviction involved a woman who worked at a radio station in 2004 or 2005, who testified that he assaulted her in front of his entourage.
Judge Joel Bennathan scheduled Brand’s sentencing for Monday. He was taken into custody immediately following the verdict. Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy of London’s Metropolitan Police called the conviction a testament to the courage of the women who came forward. He stated that Brand used his influence to exploit women and that his sense of entitlement grew as his profile increased.
Brand was once one of Britain’s most prominent broadcasters and is the former husband of American pop star Katy Perry. He is known for starring in films such as Get Him to the Greek and Arthur.
