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British comedian and actor Russell Brand has been convicted of rape and sexual assault following a four-week trial at Southwark Crown Court in London, leaving him facing a lengthy prison sentence.
The 51-year-old was found guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault involving four women. However, he was acquitted of two other rape charges and one count of attempted indecent assault. Brand had denied all the allegations and pleaded not guilty.
The offences took place between 2004 and 2009, with six women giving evidence during the trial. The complainants, who are legally entitled to lifelong anonymity, described their encounters with the actor and comedian, who prosecutors accused of using his growing fame and influence to pursue women without regard for their wishes.
Senior Crown prosecutor David Roberts described Brand as "a calculated sexual predator, using his growing fame and power to create situations in which he could pursue women sexually, regardless of what they wanted."
Brand maintained that he had never engaged in non-consensual sexual activity. While acknowledging his history of promiscuity and what he described as "reckless philandering and idiocy," he insisted that consent had always been important to him.
During his testimony, he said, "consent is fundamental, essential, necessary, and in many ways, more important than sex itself."
Following the verdict, Judge Joel Bennathan refused Brand bail and indicated that he would face a significant prison term. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Monday, November 9.
The conviction follows allegations first made public in 2023 through a joint investigation by The Sunday Times, The Times and Channel 4's Dispatches. The reports prompted a police investigation, with the six women in the criminal trial subsequently coming forward.
Meanwhile, London's Metropolitan Police confirmed that investigations into separate rape allegations involving two other women remain ongoing. Detectives have submitted files to the Crown Prosecution Service as further inquiries continue.
