In a major legal update, British comedian, actor, and internet personality Russell Brand has been convicted of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault by a jury at London’s Southwark Crown Court.
The verdict follows a four-week trial detailing allegations spanning over two decades.
Breakdown of the Verdict
After deliberating for over eight hours across two days, the 12-member jury (eight men and four women) returned the following unanimous verdicts:
- Guilty: 1 count of rape and 3 counts of sexual assault involving four separate female victims.
- Acquitted: 2 counts of rape and 1 count of attempted indecent assault.
Following the reading of the verdict, presiding Judge Joel Bennathan revoked Brand’s bail and ordered him directly into custody. He warned the 51-year-old actor to expect a “significant” prison sentence, which is scheduled to be handed down on Monday.
Key Trial Findings & Prosecution Statements
Throughout the trial, Brand maintained his innocence, testifying that while he had led a “promiscuous” lifestyle with an “insatiable sexual appetite” during the peak of his early career, all of his sexual encounters were entirely consensual.
However, Crown prosecutors argued that Brand used his powerful celebrity status to abuse and control women. Following the verdict, senior Crown prosecutor David Roberts released a statement through the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS):
“Russell Brand was predatory and used his celebrity status to commit sexual crimes. He was a manipulator with an insatiable desire to get what he wanted, regardless of whether consent was given or not.”
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