Russell Brand Found Guilty of Rape and Sexual Assault in London

A London jury has found Russell Brand guilty of rape and sexual assault at Southwark Crown Court. The comedian and actor, 51, was convicted on Thursday of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault. He now faces a long prison sentence when he returns to court for sentencing on Monday.

Separately, police confirmed on Friday that two more women have made rape allegations against him. That investigation is ongoing.

What the Russell Brand guilty verdicts cover

The charges involved six women and covered the decade from 1999 to 2009. In those years, Brand rose from stand-up comedy to television and then Hollywood films. All of the women are entitled to lifelong anonymity under UK law.

The jury, made up of eight men and four women, deliberated for about eight and a half hours, the BBC reported. It found Brand guilty of raping a fan he met after a 2009 show at the Hammersmith Apollo.

He was also convicted of three sexual assaults. These involved an MTV worker at a party in a Soho bar in 2004, a Choice FM worker inside Capital Radio’s offices in 2004 or 2005, and a Channel 4 worker in 2009.

However, the jury cleared him of two other rape charges. One related to a woman he met in Bournemouth in 1999. The other concerned the same MTV worker from 2004. He was also found not guilty of attempted indecent assault in 2001.

Brand denied all the charges

Throughout the trial, Brand denied every charge. He said any sexual activity had been consensual. He also claimed he was the target of a media campaign to paint him as a predator.

Prosecutors, by contrast, described him as a “ruthless” sexual predator who used his fame to pressure women. The women gave evidence from behind a screen, while Brand listened from the dock.

Brand showed little emotion as the verdicts were read, according to reporters in court. Afterwards, he was refused bail and taken into custody.

Judge warns of a significant sentence

Mr Justice Bennathan, the trial judge, warned Brand he should expect “a significant custodial term”. He also explained why he would not allow bail over the weekend.

Brand’s team had asked for time so he could speak to his children. The judge said he regretted the hardship for the family. Nevertheless, he noted that Brand had “considerable resources”. For that reason, he said there were substantial grounds to fear Brand might not return to face sentence.

Two more women come forward

After the verdicts, it could be reported that Brand is under investigation over rape allegations from two more women. He has already been questioned about those claims.

Sir Mark Rowley, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, confirmed the new inquiry on BBC Breakfast on Friday. “I clearly wouldn’t be surprised if many more came forward,” he said.

Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy led the case. He said he hoped other women would take “courage” and “confidence” from the outcome.

How the case was built

The allegations first became public in September 2023. At that time, The Times, The Sunday Times and Channel 4’s Dispatches reported claims from four women. Brand strongly denied them.

Soon after, the Met set up a dedicated team under the name Operation Actinolite. Officers took more than 340 witness statements, the BBC reported. These came from former employers, colleagues and associates.

The case was difficult because the offences were not recent. The earliest dated back 27 years. As a result, there was no CCTV or forensic evidence. Instead, detectives traced who the women had spoken to at the time and gathered other supporting material.

Brand was first charged in April 2025. Further charges followed later that year. In police interviews, he gave prepared statements and then answered “no comment”.

What happens next

Brand will remain in custody until Monday’s sentencing hearing at the same court. The maximum sentence for rape in England is life imprisonment, although the actual term will depend on the judge’s assessment.

Meanwhile, the Met says its investigation into the new allegations continues. For the women who gave evidence, the verdicts end a long and painful process. For Brand, once one of Britain’s best-known entertainers, the fall from fame is now complete.

Related on Global News 47: More Entertainment news · More UK news