Russell Brand sentenced to prison after rape conviction
The British comedian was found guilty of one rape and three sexual assaults, with sentencing scheduled for Monday.
By Dominic Foster ·
Russell Brand was convicted of rape and sexual assault on Thursday in London.
The 51-year-old actor and comedian faced charges involving four women. Some allegations date back more than 20 years.
Judge Joel Bennathan stated that Brand will receive a prison term. He rejected a request for bail, citing the risk that Brand might flee. Brand was taken into custody immediately after the verdict.
Brand closed his eyes when the jury announced the guilty verdict on the rape count. He showed little other emotion. When bail was denied, he gestured to his lawyers and repeated, "I'm good, I'm good, I'm good," before officers led him away.
Prosecutor Riel Karmy-Jones described Brand as a ruthless, calculating, and manipulative sexual predator. Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy of London's Metropolitan Police said the conviction recognized the courage of the women who reported the incidents. Furphy added that Brand used his fame to exploit women and that his sense of entitlement grew with his profile.
The jury in Southwark Crown Court included eight men and four women. They deliberated for more than eight hours over two days. Brand was found guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault. He was acquitted of two rape counts and one count of attempted indecent assault.
The convictions involved specific incidents. In 2004, Brand was found guilty of sexually assaulting a woman at a London bar. He was cleared of orally raping her in a restroom. In 2004 or 2005, he was found guilty of kissing and groping a woman at a radio station. In 2009, he was found guilty of anally raping a fan backstage at a comedy show. He was also found guilty of sexually assaulting a woman during an advertisement recording in 2009.
Brand was acquitted of raping a woman at the Labour Party conference in Bournemouth in 1999. He was also cleared of attempting to indecently assault a woman at an MTV office in London. Brand testified that the case had a devastating impact on his life. He said his entire life had been consumed by the events and accusations. His wife, Laura, testified as a character witness. Brand's lawyers argued that the victims waited years to report the assaults, following a 2023 documentary. The judge acknowledged the hardship caused to Brand's children but noted it was a result of his criminal offending.
