London jury finds Russell Brand guilty of rape and three sexual assaults

British comedian and actor Russell Brand was convicted of four of seven charges and acquitted of three in his trial at Southwark Crown Court. Brand, 51, who denied all the allegations, was arrested; he will be sentenced on Monday, November 9.

British comedian and actor Russell Brand was found guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault in a trial at Southwark Crown Court in London. The jury, made up of eight men and four women, returned its verdicts on Thursday, November 5. Brand, 51, had denied all the allegations and pleaded not guilty.

The jury acquitted Brand of two separate rape charges and one charge of “attempted indecent assault.” The BBC and The Guardian reported that the jury deliberated for approximately eight and a half hours. Euronews reported that the four guilty verdicts were unanimous. Verdicts have now been reached on all seven charges; there are no charges on which the jury failed to agree.

The convictions relate to four different women and, according to the BBC, concern incidents between 2004 and 2009. The acquittals relate to charges concerning 1999, 2001 and 2004. Under UK law, the identities of the women who reported the allegations are protected for life.

Judge: Prison sentence inevitable

Judge Joel Bennathan, who presided over the case, told Brand after the verdicts: “You have been convicted of multiple offences, including rape.” The judge said the outcome would “inevitably be a significant sentence of imprisonment.” Brand is expected to be sentenced at the same court on Monday, November 9. According to NBC News, citing the Sentencing Council of England and Wales, the maximum sentence for rape in the country is life imprisonment.

Brand, who had remained on bail throughout the trial, was arrested after the verdicts. His lawyer, Ian Winter KC, asked for him to be released over the weekend so he could say goodbye to his three young children, describing it as “a humanitarian gesture.” The judge expressed sympathy for the hardship caused to the children but rejected the request. Bennathan said Brand had “considerable means” and that there were “serious grounds” for concern that he might not attend the sentencing hearing.

Russell Brand, Mayıs 2025'te Londra'da mahkemeye gelirken

The photograph shows Brand arriving at one of his hearings in London in May 2025. Brand pleaded not guilty that month.

Case began with joint reporting in 2023

The allegations against Brand first came to light in September 2023 through a joint investigation by Channel 4’s Dispatches programme and The Times and The Sunday Times newspapers. The reports featured allegations by four women, while Brand categorically denied them. The Metropolitan Police launched an investigation shortly afterward. According to the BBC, police collected statements from more than 340 witnesses.

In April 2025, police charged Brand in connection with incidents from 1999 to 2005 involving four women: two counts of rape, one count of indecent assault and two counts of sexual assault. One rape charge and one sexual assault charge involving two additional women were later added. The indecent assault charge was changed to “attempted” during the trial. The case began on October 14, 2026.

Defence based on consent

In his evidence, Brand acknowledged that he had been “obsessed” with sex in his youth and had allowed his fame to make “sexual access” easier for him, saying this was wrong. However, he maintained that he had never forced anyone to do anything against their will. His lawyers stressed that the complainants had gone to the police years later and after the 2023 documentary. Brand said the case had deeply affected his life and family.

According to the BBC, Brand showed no emotion as the verdicts were read and said to his lawyers, “I’m fine, I’m fine,” as he left the dock. His father, Ron Brand, told the BBC that he was “shocked and shaken” by the verdicts.

Detective Chief Superintendent Andy Furphy of the Metropolitan Police said the verdict was a testament to the “extraordinary courage, resilience and determination” of the women who came forward to police. Furphy said, “Brand used his influence, status and fame to exploit women,” adding that he hoped the verdict would send the message that “no one is above the law, no matter how famous or powerful they are.”

David Roberts, a senior prosecutor with the Crown Prosecution Service, also said Brand had used his celebrity status to commit the offences. The Metropolitan Police separately announced that an investigation into complaints made by two additional women was ongoing. Those allegations were not part of the case.

Photographs: AP, Euronews

London jury finds Russell Brand guilty of rape and three sexual assaults