Russell Brand convicted of rape and sexual assault
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The gist
A London jury convicted Russell Brand, 51, of one rape count and three sexual assaults involving four women.
He faces a significant prison term; sentencing is set for Monday.
Background
Russell Brand is a British comedian and actor known for risqué stand-up, TV and BBC radio shows, films including Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Get Him to the Greek, and a brief marriage to Katy Perry. The case followed September 2023 reports by Channel 4's Dispatches, The Times and The Sunday Times, after which London's Metropolitan Police began investigating; detectives spoke to more than 100 witnesses and reviewed over 1,400 documents. In recent years Brand moved away from mainstream media, relocated to Florida and built a large online following with videos mixing wellness, conspiracy theories and discussions of his religious devotion.
How it unfolded
- Sep 2023Channel 4's Dispatches, The Times and The Sunday Times published allegations involving Brand, and the Met began investigating after the reports.
- Apr 4, 2025British police charged Brand, then 50, with one count of rape, one of indecent assault, one of oral rape and two of sexual assault after an 18-month investigation.
- Feb 24, 2026Brand pleaded not guilty at Southwark Crown Court to two further charges of rape and sexual assault relating to two women and alleged offences in London in 2009.
- Oct 12, 2026Brand appeared at Southwark Crown Court for the start of his trial; the hearing was adjourned until the next day after jury selection.
- Oct 22, 2026Brand was on trial on charges of rape and sexual assault against six women.
- Nov 5, 2026A jury of eight men and four women, after deliberating more than eight hours over two days, convicted Brand 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.
- Nov 5, 2026Judge Joel Bennathan said Brand faces a "significant" prison term; bail was rejected over the possibility he might flee and Brand was taken into custody.
- Nov 9, 2026Brand is due to be sentenced at Southwark Crown Court.
Key terms
- Metropolitan Police
- The territorial police force responsible for law enforcement and crime prevention within Greater London.
- Southwark Crown Court
- A Crown Court venue in London that hears serious criminal cases within the English court system.
- bail
- Pre-trial restrictions imposed on a charged person to ensure they do not obstruct justice and appear in court.
Source: Wikipedia
Who’s saying what
- Prosecutor
- Prosecutor Riel Karmy-Jones described Brand as ruthless, calculating, manipulative and a "sexual predator".
- Defence
- Brand denied the charges and testified he was obsessed with sex as a young man and once led a promiscuous life but had never forced anyone to do something against their will, saying consent is "fundamental, essential, necessary."
- Police
- Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy of the Met said Brand "used his influence, status and fame to exploit and sexually offend against women" and called the conviction a testament to the courage of the women who came forward.
- Judge
- Judge Joel Bennathan said Brand faces a "significant" prison term and that hardship to Brand's children was caused by "serious criminal offending by their father."
Still unverified
The BBC reported that Brand is still being investigated over two other rape allegations.