Judge says actor and comedian faces ‘significant custodial term’ after being convicted of raping a woman and assaulting three others
Russell Brand has been found guilty of raping a woman and sexually assaulting three others over the course of five years of his showbusiness career.
Brand, 51, was described during his trial as a ruthless, calculated and manipulative sexual predator. He was accused of raping women in a hotel room, in a bar toilet and at his luxury London townhouse. He sexually assaulted women in front of his entourage at their workplaces, at a radio station and TV studio.
The Hollywood actor turned online influencer was accused of gaslighting his victims after the attacks, and treating women as a “disposable commodity” and a “means to an end” to satisfy his voracious sexual appetite.
It can now be revealed that Brand is under investigation for two further rape allegations and that the Met police have submitted files to the Crown Prosecution Service.
Brand stood outside the door of the dock shortly before the jury delivered their verdicts and looked at his wife, Laura, saying: “Laura, I love you.”
Wearing a grey three-piece suit, he appeared to be praying in the dock before he was convicted of four offences on Thursday after a four-week trial at Southwark crown court.
He had pleaded not guilty to three charges of rape, three of sexual assault and one of attempted indecent assault against six women, in allegations spanning 10 years from 1999.
Brand claimed he could not remember some of the incidents and that others had been consensual sexual encounters that had been “reimagined” or “unfavourably reframed” after the publication of sexual misconduct allegations against him in a 2023 Channel 4 Dispatches documentary, and Times and Sunday Times reports.
But Brand closed his eyes as a jury found him guilty of four offences against four women after eight hours and 30 minutes of deliberations. He was cleared of two counts of rape and one count of attempted indecent assault.
The judge, Mr Justice Bennathan, praised the panel of four women and eight men, and told Brand: “You’ve been convicted of a number of offences, including one of rape. The consequence of that is inevitably a significant custodial term. My current view is that I have to therefore remand you in custody.”
He said Brand would be sentenced on Monday.
Brand held his head high and appeared emotionless as he was led away by the dock officers down to the cells.
On Thursday the Met police said their investigation into Brand was continuing.
A spokesperson said: “The Met’s investigation into allegations of rape made by two women remains ongoing. The suspect has previously been interviewed under caution in connection with the allegations.
“Files have been submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service in relation to both complainants. Detectives remain in close contact with prosecutors as inquiries continue and further investigative work is carried out.”
Brand was found guilty of anally raping a young fan at his London townhouse after picking her out from a crowd after one of his gigs at the Hammersmith Apollo in early 2009.
She told the court she begged him to stop but Brand continued. “I felt like I couldn’t speak or breathe, the amount of pain,” she said.
Brand was found guilty of sexually assaulting a woman who worked for MTV by grabbing her breasts at a birthday party in Soho, London in 2004. But he was cleared of orally raping the woman in a toilet afterwards.
He was also convicted of sexually assaulting a woman who told the court that Brand laughed after squeezing her breasts and kissing her sloppily while she was working at the radio station Choice FM in 2004 or 2005.
Brand was found guilty of sexually assaulting a Channel 4 worker, who said she was “repulsed” when Brand placed his head in her lap so she could feel his breath on her vagina during a filming project in 2009.
He was cleared of raping a woman after the Labour party conference in Bournemouth in 1999, and also found not guilty of attempting to indecently assault an MTV worker by trying to drag her into a men’s toilets in 2001.
Brand’s trial heard victims had been haunted by their encounters with the former presenter and that they had bravely come forward to the tell the truth after realising they were not alone.
The prosecutor, Riel Karmy-Jones KC, said they described a similar pattern of behaviour from the comedian that started with compliments, flattery and flirting before a “personality change”. “His eyes changed, he snapped, from charming to frightening to nasty,” she said.
But Brand’s barrister, Ian Winter KC, denied the TV personality was a “psychopath who rapes people and thinks it’s normal”. He claimed Brand was respectful when women said no and that being “rude or acting like a crazy idiot” during sex was not a crime if there was consent.
In his closing speech on Monday, the barrister also questioned why Brand’s accusers had not screamed, kicked out or slapped Brand when they were raped. “Not one of them resisted or screamed or even tried to leave,” he said.
Det Supt Andy Furphy, from the Met police, praised the “extraordinary courage, resilience and determination” of Brand’s victims. In a statement, he said: “Despite intense media and public scrutiny, they relived deeply personal and traumatic experiences and placed their trust in us. Without their bravery, this outcome would not have been possible.
“Brand used his influence, status and fame to prey on and exploit women. 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.”
He also paid tribute to the “professionalism and determination” of the team of detectives and specialist staff who worked on the high-profile investigation, which attracted widespread international coverage.
“Finally, I would urge anyone who may have been a victim of rape or serious sexual assault to speak to us. You will be listened to, supported and treated with dignity and respect,” he said.
