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A London jury found comedian and actor Russell Brand guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault involving allegations dating from 1999 to 2009.
A jury at London’s Southwark Crown Court has found British comedian and actor Russell Brand guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault. The verdicts were delivered on Thursday following two days of deliberations.
According to reports from the BBC and Deadline, the jury delivered the following verdicts on seven sexual offense charges:
| Charge | Description | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Charge 1 | Rape (1999) | Not guilty |
| Charge 2 | Attempted indecent assault (2001) | Not guilty |
| Charge 3 | Sexual assault (2004) | Guilty |
| Charge 4 | Rape (2004) | Not guilty |
| Charge 5 | Sexual assault (2004 or 2005) | Guilty |
| Charge 6 | Rape (2009) | Guilty |
| Charge 7 | Sexual assault (2009) | Guilty |
Judge Mr Justice Bennathan told Brand he would face a "significant custodial term" and remanded him in custody until his sentencing, which is scheduled for Monday.
The charges involved six women, all of whom are entitled to lifelong anonymity. According to Deadline, three of the complainants found Brand guilty of sexual assault worked in the TV and radio industry, including a former MTV and Channel 4 employee.
Brand, 51, has denied all charges. During the trial, Brand testified that he was obsessed with sex as a young man and once led a promiscuous life, but stated he had never forced anyone to do something against their will. His defense argued that a Channel 4 documentary released in 2023 "poisoned the well of justice deliberately" and "fundamentally corrupted" the accusers.
Conversely, the prosecution stated the exposé was not a "magic force" that caused women to "recast" their memories, but rather caused them to come forward regarding encounters that had "haunted them for years."
The conviction of the high-profile broadcaster follows allegations that surfaced after a 2023 Channel 4 documentary and reporting in The Times. The trial lasted less than four weeks, despite initial expectations that it would take at least six weeks.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
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British actor and comedian Russell Brand was found guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault, facing a significant prison sentence.
EntertainmentTrending
A London court found comedian Russell Brand guilty of rape and sexual assault involving incidents between 1999 and 2009. He has been remanded in custody pending sentencing.
