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British comedian convicted of raping one woman and sexually assaulting three others following a four-week trial at Southwark Crown Court in London.
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Jury acquits 51-year-old actor of two other rape charges and attempted indecent assault involving allegations by six women.
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Judge warns Brand faces a significant custodial sentence as he is remanded in custody ahead of sentencing on November 9.
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Brand, who denied all the allegations, maintained that his sexual encounters were consensual, while prosecutors accused him of exploiting his celebrity status to prey on women.
November 05, (THEWILL) – British actor and comedian Russell Brand was on Thursday found guilty of rape and three counts of sexual assault following a four-week trial at Southwark Crown Court in London.
Brand, 51, was convicted of raping one woman in 2009 and sexually assaulting three other women in separate incidents between 1999 and 2009.
However, the jury acquitted him of two other counts of rape and one count of attempted indecent assault arising from allegations brought by six women.
THEWILL reports that the verdict followed more than eight hours of deliberations over two days by a jury comprising eight men and four women, bringing a dramatic conclusion to a closely watched trial involving the former Hollywood star and television presenter.
Following the verdict, Judge Joel Bennathan warned Brand that his convictions would inevitably attract a significant prison sentence.
The judge revoked his bail and ordered that he be remanded in custody pending sentencing on Monday, November 9.
Prosecutors Accuse Comedian Of Exploiting Celebrity Status
The prosecution had accused Brand of exploiting his celebrity status, professional influence and public standing to sexually assault women during the period in which he was building his entertainment career.
Lead prosecutor Riel Karmy-Jones KC described him as a ruthless, calculating and manipulative sexual predator, arguing that he used his fame and influence to gain access to women and take advantage of them.
Prosecutors maintained that the six complainants, who did not know one another, had independently recounted experiences of sexual misconduct involving Brand.
The allegations covered incidents in London and Bournemouth, including claims of rape at a hotel and at Brand’s residence, as well as sexual assaults at a Soho bar, a radio station and a television workplace.
Among the offences for which Brand was convicted was the rape of a woman at his home in 2009. He was also found guilty of sexually assaulting an MTV employee at a Soho bar in 2004, a Capital Radio employee in 2005 and a Channel 4 worker in 2009.
However, the jury cleared him of raping a woman he met during the 1999 Labour Party conference in Bournemouth and another rape allegation involving an MTV employee. He was also acquitted of attempting to indecently assault another MTV employee in 2001.
Brand Denies Allegations, Insists Encounters Were Consensual
Brand denied all the charges throughout the proceedings, insisting that he had never engaged in sexual activity without consent.
Testifying in his defence, he acknowledged that he had been highly promiscuous during his younger years but maintained that his sexual relationships had been consensual.
He challenged the credibility of the allegations, arguing that encounters which had taken place years earlier were being misrepresented.
His defence lawyer, Ian Winter KC, questioned the lengthy period between the alleged incidents and the eventual police reports, arguing that media investigations and publicity surrounding the allegations could have influenced the complainants.
Brand told the court that the proceedings had taken a devastating toll on his personal life and family. He also rejected the prosecution’s portrayal of him as a sexual predator, insisting that he respected women’s right to refuse sexual advances.
The case attracted international attention following a joint media investigation published in September 2023 by The Sunday Times, The Times and Channel 4’s *Dispatches*.
The investigation detailed allegations of rape and sexual misconduct against the entertainer, prompting the Metropolitan Police to launch a criminal investigation.
Detectives subsequently interviewed Brand as part of their inquiries before criminal charges were brought against him in April 2025.
Further charges were authorised in December 2025 following additional investigations involving two other women.
Brand was eventually prosecuted on seven counts involving six complainants: three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of attempted indecent assault.
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Police Commend Women Who Came Forward
Reacting to Thursday’s verdict, the Metropolitan Police welcomed the convictions and commended the women who came forward to report the alleged offences despite the passage of time and the public profile of the defendant.
Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy said the case demonstrated that nobody was above the law, regardless of celebrity status, wealth or influence.
The police also encouraged other victims of rape and serious sexual assault to come forward, assuring them that their complaints would be treated with dignity and investigated.
From Hollywood Fame to Criminal Conviction
Brand rose to prominence in Britain in the early 2000s through stand-up comedy, television and radio presenting. His provocative humour, flamboyant personality and outspoken public appearances made him one of the country’s most recognisable entertainers.
He became particularly popular through Channel 4’s *Big Brother’s Big Mouth* and his BBC Radio 2 programme before establishing an international acting career.
His Hollywood film credits include *Forgetting Sarah Marshall* and *Get Him to the Greek*. His high-profile personal life also attracted considerable attention, particularly his marriage to American pop star Katy Perry in 2010, which ended in 2011.
In recent years, Brand moved away from mainstream entertainment and developed a substantial online following through videos and commentary on politics, religion, wellness and conspiracy theories.
Thursday’s convictions mark a major development in the controversy surrounding the entertainer, more than three years after the allegations against him first emerged publicly.
He is expected to return to Southwark Crown Court on November 9 for sentencing.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
