The four-week trial also heard tearful and forceful testimony from the six women who came forward to police about their experiences with Brand. Brand was convicted of rape and sexual assault charges against four women, and acquitted of the rape and indecent assault allegations made by two women. All of the women are entitled to lifelong anonymity under protection and privacy laws. None of the women knew one another. But they reported their experiences to police in 2023, after The Times, Sunday Times and Channel 4: Dispatches published investigations into Brand’s behaviour on allegations made by other women, not involved in this criminal trial. Brand’s defence lawyer, Ian Winter KC, cross-examined the women during the trial and asked them why they hadn’t run away or hit Brand, and why they had not reported the crimes earlier. Domestic violence charities have criticised that line of questioning, saying it’s tantamout to victim blaming and such interrogations perpetuate harmful myths abou