In brief
A jury found 51‑year‑old Russell Brand guilty of one rape and three sexual assault convictions covering incidents from 1999‑2009, with six anonymous women testifying that the comedian exploited his fame. Brand was taken into custody following the verdict and will face sentencing in early December. He has repeatedly denied the allegations as unfounded.
A jury at Southwark Crown Court on Thursday, 3 November 2026, found former comedian Russell Brand guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault, covering incidents that took place between 1999 and 2009.
Brand, 51, was also acquitted of two other rape charges and one count of attempted indecent assault. He was taken into custody after the verdict, while Judge Joel Bennathan scheduled his sentencing for the following Monday, with a potential lengthy prison term.
Six anonymous women testified that Brand exploited his status and fame to commit sexual offences; none of the women knew each other and all came forward after a 2023 documentary and press reports that prompted further investigations.
Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy of London's Metropolitan Police said the conviction was a testament to the extraordinary courage, resilience, and determination of the women who came forward. He added:
"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."
Prosecutors described Brand as a "ruthless" sexual predator. The rape charge concerned a 2009 incident in which a victim was allegedly anally raped by Brand after a consensual encounter in his dressing room; she later claimed he told her to clean up the blood and mess.
Brand was also convicted of sexually assaulting a woman at a London bar in 2004 and of another assault in 2009, the latter involving a woman who reported that he had grabbed her breasts at a party.
Brand has maintained that the encounters were consensual or that the allegations were fabricated, and he has denied the charges. He faces potential imprisonment for the convictions that were upheld by the jury.
