Russell Brand Convicted: Judge Orders Immediate Custody Before Monday Sentencing

Russell Brand was taken into custody Thursday after a London court convicted him of rape and sexual assault. Judge Joel Bennathan rejected a request for bail, citing the risk that the 51-year-old might flee. The judge stated that Brand faces a substantial prison term when he is sentenced on Monday. He noted that the hardship caused to the children was a result of their father's serious criminal offending.

The verdict follows an eight-hour deliberation over two days by a jury of eight men and four women at Southwark Crown Court. Prosecutors described Brand as a calculating sexual predator who used his fame to exploit women. Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy of London's Metropolitan Police said the conviction reflected the courage of the women who reported the incidents. Furphy added that Brand's sense of entitlement grew as his profile did.

Brand denied the charges during his testimony. He argued that while he led a promiscuous life in his youth, he never forced anyone to act against their will. He described the case as having consumed his life and devastated his family. His wife, Laura, testified as a character witness. Brand's lawyers argued that the victims waited years to report the assaults, a delay that was influenced by a 2023 documentary featuring anonymous allegations.

The jury found Brand guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault. He was acquitted of two counts of rape and one count of attempted indecent assault. The convictions cover incidents spanning more than 20 years. A 2004 conviction involves a woman at a London bar. Another 2004 or 2005 conviction involves a woman at a London radio station. A 2009 conviction covers an incident backstage at a comedy show. The final conviction involves a woman during an advertisement recording in 2009.

Brand closed his eyes when the guilty verdict on the rape count was read. He showed little emotion otherwise. When bail was denied, he gestured to his lawyers and repeatedly said, I'm good, I'm good, I'm good, before being led away. The jury cleared him of a 1999 incident in Bournemouth and an incident at the London office of music channel MTV.

Brand rose to prominence in the early 2000s with television and radio hosting roles. He appeared in films such as Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Get Him to the Greek. He was briefly married to pop star Katy Perry. In recent years, he moved to Florida and built an online following focused on wellness and religious devotion.

British law protects the identities of victims of sexual violence from the media for life. The Associated Press does not name these victims. Brand is scheduled to be sentenced on Monday.