Russell Brand found guilty of rape, sexual assault; faces sentence 'of some length'
British comedian and actor Russell Brand was convicted Thursday of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault following a trial in London.
The jury at London's Southwark Crown Court delivered a verdict on seven sexual offense charges against Brand following two days of deliberations, according to the Metropolitan Police. He was acquitted of two further rape charges and one count of attempted indecent assault, which was reduced from indecent assault during the trial.
Judge Joel Bennathan told Brand, who potentially faces life in prison on the rape conviction, that he would be given a "custodial sentence of some length," and he was remanded in custody until he is sentenced on Nov. 9.
Brand's guilty verdicts cover offenses between 2004 and 2009 against four women, including the alleged rape of a 21-year-old fan who met him at his home following a stand-up show in 2009. The allegations of sexual assaults involved an MTV worker who claimed he groped her at a Soho bar party in 2004, a Capital Radio worker who said he kissed and groped her in a corridor in 2005, and a Channel 4 worker who alleged a forced massage in 2009.
Prosecutors portrayed Brand as a "ruthless sexual predator" who used his fame and status to victimize women, though he denied the charges from six women. He has denied the "very serious criminal allegations" and acknowledged that while he was "very, very promiscuous" in the past, his sexual encounters were "always consensual."
The nearly four-week trial in London ended with the jury deliberating for about eight and a half hours.
The Metropolitan Police said detectives interviewed more than 100 witnesses, took hundreds of statements and reviewed extensive documents and media of Brand's own work to build timelines and test accounts.
"Today's verdict is first and foremost a testament to the extraordinary courage, resilience and determination of the women who came forward and reported what happened to them," the Metropolitan Police said in a statement.
“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," the statement continued.
“Brand used his influence, status and fame to exploit and sexually offend against 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," the police added.
Brand claimed to have converted to Christianity and was baptized in the River Thames with the help of Bear Grylls in April 2024. The authenticity of his conversion drew skepticism, coming barely six months after a joint investigation by The Times, The Sunday Times and Channel 4's Dispatches first reported on the initial allegations against him from four women.
Brand has been outspoken in recent years about the role he claims his newfound faith has played in saving him from addiction, which he has described as a futile attempt to fill a spiritual hunger through material means. During an interview in 2025, he claimed God used his addiction and subsequent demonic attacks to draw him to Himself.
