British comedian Russell Brand convicted of rape and sexual assault in London
The gist
A London jury found Russell Brand guilty of one rape count and three sexual assaults involving four women.
He was remanded in custody and faces a significant prison term at Monday's sentencing.
How it unfolded
- Oct 12, 2026Brand's trial began at Southwark Crown Court in London on charges of rape, sexual assault and indecent assault; he had pleaded not guilty to all charges.
- Oct 28, 2026Brand testified in his own defense for about four hours, denying raping or sexually assaulting six women and saying the encounters were consensual.
- Nov 5, 2026A jury of eight men and four women found Brand, 51, guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault involving four women; he was acquitted of two rape counts and one count of attempted indecent assault.
Key terms
- Southwark Crown Court
- A Crown Court venue in London that hears serious criminal cases within the English court system.
- custodial term
- A judicial sentence requiring the convict to be held in prison or another closed institution.
Source: Wikipedia