Russell Brand Found Guilty of Rape and Sexual Assault in London

British comedian and actor Russell Brand was found guilty in a London court on Thursday of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault. He was acquitted of two other rape charges and one count of attempted indecent assault.

The Verdict

A jury of eight men and four women at Southwark Crown Court found Brand, 51, guilty of raping a woman in 2009 after she met him at one of his shows. He was also convicted of sexually assaulting a woman whose breasts he grabbed at a party in 2004, another woman who said he kissed and groped her at a London radio station in 2004 or 2005, and a woman who testified that he pressed his face into her groin during the recording of an advertisement in 2009.

The judge, Justice Joel Bennathan, told Brand that the consequence of the verdicts is a "significant custodial term" and that he would have to remain in prison until he is formally sentenced Monday. Brand was remanded in custody after the judge denied his bail application.

Statements from Court and Police

Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy of the Metropolitan Police said Brand had "used his influence, status and fame to exploit and sexually offend against women." He added, "As his profile grew, so too did his sense of entitlement."

David Roberts of the Crown Prosecution Service said the evidence showed Brand "to be a calculated sexual predator, using his growing fame and power to create situations in which he could pursue women sexually regardless of what they wanted."

Brand denied the charges during his testimony, saying the sexual encounters were consensual. He told the court, "Consent is fundamental, essential, necessary and indeed more important than sex itself."

Background and Next Steps

The trial began in mid-October and examined seven charges brought by six women from 1999 to 2009. Brand, who was previously married to singer Katy Perry, has been married to Laura Gallacher since 2017 and they have three children.

The maximum sentence for rape is life imprisonment, and it is 10 years for one count of sexual assault, according to Britain’s Sentencing Council. London’s Metropolitan Police said an investigation into allegations of rape made by two women continues.

Why it matters

The conviction concludes a high-profile criminal trial against a once-prominent British broadcaster and Hollywood actor. Brand faces a significant prison sentence when he is sentenced on Monday, and police continue to investigate additional allegations.

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Sources

• france24.com: British comedian Russell Brand found guilty of rape and three sexual assaults - France 24
• nbcnews.com: Russell Brand found guilty of rape and sexual assault
• cnn.com: Russell Brand found guilty of rape and sexual assault | CNN
• variety.com: Russell Brand Verdict: Guilty of Rape and Sexual Assault
• abajournal.com: Russell Brand found guilty of rape, sexual assault as judge promises 'sentence of some length'
• latimes.com: Russell Brand verdict: British actor convicted of rape, sexual assault - Los Angeles Times

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.