Russell Brand convicted of rape and sexual assault

A jury at Southwark Crown Court has convicted Russell Brand of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault involving four women, with Judge Joel Bennathan telling the 51-year-old he faces a significant prison term at sentencing on Monday. Bail was refused over concerns he might flee, and Brand was taken into custody immediately after the verdict.

The allegations dated back more than 20 years, to the period when Brand was rising through British television and radio — hosting BBC radio shows and later appearing in Hollywood films including Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Get Him to the Greek. He was convicted of sexually assaulting a woman at a London bar in 2004, of kissing and groping another woman at a London radio station, of anally raping a fan he met backstage at one of his comedy shows in 2009, and of sexually assaulting a woman during the recording of an advertisement that same year. He was acquitted of two rape counts and one count of attempted indecent assault.

Prosecutor Riel Karmy-James described Brand at trial as a ruthless, calculating, manipulative sexual predator. Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy of the Metropolitan Police put it more institutionally: Brand used his influence, status and fame to exploit women, and as his profile grew, so too did his sense of entitlement.

The case itself is a study in how a media career can be rebuilt around its own controversies. After leaving mainstream broadcasting, Brand relocated to Florida and built a large online following with videos mixing wellness content, conspiracy theories and discussions of his religious devotion — an audience that pays the presenter directly rather than through advertisers. His lawyers argued the alleged victims were undermined by having gone to police only years after the events, and only after a 2023 documentary aired anonymous allegations against him. The jury, eight men and four women who deliberated more than eight hours over two days, disagreed on four of the counts.

Brand testified that he was obsessed with sex as a young man and once led a promiscuous life, but had never forced anyone to do anything against their will. He said the case had consumed his life, that friends and colleagues had abandoned him, and that no one with relevant evidence was willing to testify on his behalf. His wife Laura appeared as a character witness. When his counsel requested bail, the judge refused, adding that he regretted the hardship caused to Brand's children — but that the hardship had been caused by serious criminal offending by their father.

As he was led away, Brand gestured to his lawyers and repeated, "I'm good, I'm good, I'm good."