British comedian Russell Brand: Convicted of rape and sexual assault
A London jury found Brand guilty on four counts related to four women, with sentencing scheduled for Monday.
By Harper Collins ·
Russell Brand was found guilty of rape and sexual assault in a London court on Thursday. The 51-year-old British actor-comedian faced charges involving four women, with allegations spanning more than two decades. He was taken into custody immediately after the verdict.
Judge Joel Bennathan stated that Brand will receive a prison term at his sentencing hearing on Monday. The jury at Southwark Crown Court included eight men and four women. They deliberated for more than eight hours spread across two days before reaching their decision.
Brand was convicted on one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault. The jury acquitted him of two separate rape counts and one count of attempted indecent assault. A prosecutor described the comedian as a ruthless, calculating, and manipulative sexual predator during the trial.
Brand maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings. He testified that while he led a promiscuous life and was obsessed with sex as a young man, he never forced anyone against their will. He argued that the case had a devastating impact on his life and family.
“My entire life has been consumed by these events, these allegations, these accusations,” Brand said. His legal team noted that the alleged victims did not contact police until years after the incidents. This delay occurred following the broadcast of a 2023 documentary that featured anonymous allegations against him.
Brand rose to fame in the early 2000s through television hosting roles and a BBC radio show. He appeared in films such as Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Get Him to the Greek. He was also briefly married to pop star Katy Perry. In recent years, he moved to Florida and built a large online audience through videos focusing on wellness and religious devotion.
Brand’s wife, Laura, testified as a character witness in his defense. She accompanied him to court during the trial. Brand claimed that friends and colleagues had abandoned him during the legal process, noting that no one with relevant evidence was willing to testify on his behalf.
