Actor and comedian Russell Brand was found guilty of raping a woman in 2009 and sexually assaulting three other women. Judge Joel Bennathan stated that Brand will face a prison sentence. Initially, Brand faced accusations of three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault, and one charge of attempted indecent assault. However, on Thursday, he was acquitted of two rape counts and the attempted indecent assault charge.
“You’ve been convicted of a number of offences including rape,” Judge Bennathan told Brand after reading the verdict. “The consequence of that is inevitably a significant custodial term. My current view is that I therefore have to remand you into custody.”
The allegations, made by six women, covered a period from 1999 to 2009. A jury at Southwark Crown Court, comprised of eight men and four women, deliberated for over eight hours across two days. They found Brand guilty of grabbing a woman’s breasts during a 2004 party in London’s Soho neighborhood, sexually assaulting a woman at a London radio station in 2004 or 2005, and raping a woman at his Hampstead home in 2009.
During the trial, the prosecutor described Brand as a “sexual predator” who was ruthless and manipulative. Brand pleaded not guilty, testifying about his past promiscuous lifestyle but insisted he never forced anyone into non-consensual acts, emphasizing that “consent is absolutely non-negotiable.” He expressed that the criminal case had been damaging to his life and family.
“My entire life has been consumed by these events, these allegations, these accusations,” he conveyed.
Brand’s legal team argued that the victims’ credibility was weakened because they reported the incidents years later and following a 2023 documentary that broadcast anonymous allegations against Brand. During the trial, Brand suggested that the reports were part of a coordinated attack due to his growing presence as an online wellness influencer and political commentator. The women in the documentary said they felt compelled to share their stories after reporters approached them, with some citing Brand’s online influence as a motivating factor.
Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy of London’s Metropolitan Police commended the courage and resilience of the women who reported their experiences. “Brand used his influence, status, and fame to exploit and sexually offend against women,” Furphy stated. “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.”
Report contributions from Emmet Lyons and Kerry Breen are acknowledged.