Russell Brand Found Guilty of Rape - Newsweek

Actor and comedian Russell Brand has been found guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault following a four-week trial in London.

Speaking at Southwark Crown Court on Thursday, Judge Joel Bennathan told Brand that he faced a "significant custodial term." Sentencing is expected to take place on Monday.

"You've been convicted of a number of offenses including rape," the judge said. "The consequence of that is inevitably a significant custodial term. My current view is that I therefore have to remand you into custody."

The jury delivered their verdict on seven counts after more than eight hours of deliberations on allegations dating back more than 20 years. Brand was acquitted of two rape counts and one count of attempted indecent assault. Brand had denied the charges.

London's Metropolitan Police said that Brand remains under investigation for other rape allegations made by two women.

"The Met's investigation into allegations of rape made by two women remains ongoing. The suspect has previously been interviewed under caution in connection with the allegations. Files have been submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service in relation to both complainants," a Met Police spokesperson said.

Met Police Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy said: "Today's verdict is first and foremost a testament to the extraordinary courage, resilience and determination of the women who came forward and reported what happened to them. Despite intense media and public scrutiny, they relived deeply personal and traumatic experiences and placed their trust in us. Without their bravery, this outcome would not have been possible.

"Brand used his influence, status and fame to exploit and sexually offend against women. As his profile grew, so too did his sense of entitlement. I hope this conviction sends a clear message that no one is above the law, no matter how famous or powerful they may be."

Senior Crown Prosecutor David Roberts characterized Brand as a predator who used his "celebrity status" to commit sexual offenses.

"He was a manipulator with an insatiable desire to get what he wanted regardless of whether consent was given or not," Roberts said in a statement Thursday. "As his career took off, he seized opportunities to assault the women around him. Although his tactics varied, at the center of every assault was an abuse of power and sexual greed, with a complete disregard for his actions."

Roberts also praised Brand’s accusers for cooperating with authorities.

"I would like to thank all the women in this case for their courage in coming forward and seeing this sexual abuser brought to justice," he said.

Ian Winter, an attorney for Brand, did not return multiple inquiries by Newsweek on Thursday. The actor-comedian and father of three showed little emotion as the verdict was read in court, but gestured to his legal team as he was led away upon denial of bail.

"I'm good, I'm good, I'm good," Brand said.

One of the incidents detailed in court, for which Brand, 51, was convicted of rape, involved a woman who said she had consensual sex with him at his home in 2009, before he anally raped her.

He was also convicted of three counts of sexual assault. The incidents included grabbing a woman's breasts at a London bar in 2004, demanding a massage from another woman and putting his head between her legs in 2009, and forcibly kissing and groping a radio station employee in 2004 or 2005.

Prosecutor Riel Karmy-Jones KC told the court previously that the women did not know each other, had never met, and came forward independently.

The comedian gave evidence in his own defense and maintained that the sexual encounters had been consensual, while admitting that he had used his fame to gain sexual access to women.

Allegations against Brand first came to light in a 2023 documentary that featured accounts from women who accused him of rape and sexual assault.

The six women involved in the criminal case, separate from the women featured in the documentary, came forward to police after the documentary aired.

Prosecutors noted in court that, when questioned by police in 2023, Brand said he had "never engaged in non-consensual sexual activity," and suggested that accounts had been "reinvented or imagined" following the documentary and subsequent press coverage.

Brand told the court that the documentary had been "devastating," saying the case had consumed his life and he had been unable to find anyone willing to testify in his defense.

Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Matthew Robinson and Dave Siminoff.