Russell Brand Found Guilty of Rape and Sexual Assault
British actor and comedian Russell Brand has been found guilty of rape and three counts of sexual assault following a trial at Southwark Crown Court in London.
The 51-year-old was convicted on Thursday, November 5, after a four-week trial involving allegations from six women dating back to 1999–2009. The jury found him guilty of four offences involving four women, while acquitting him of three other charges. https://edition.cnn.com/2026/11/05/uk/russell-brand-trial-verdict-uk-intl
Russell Brand Convicted of Four Sexual Offences
According to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), Brand was found guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault. The offences occurred between 2004 and 2009.
The jury convicted Brand of raping a woman he met after a stand-up performance at the Hammersmith Apollo in 2009.
He was also found guilty of sexually assaulting an MTV employee at a Soho bar in 2004, kissing and groping a radio employee in 2004 or 2005, and sexually assaulting a Channel 4 worker in 2009.
The jury deliberated for approximately eight and a half hours before delivering its verdicts.
Brand Acquitted of Three Other Charges
Although Brand was convicted on four counts, he was not found guilty of every allegation brought against him.
The jury acquitted him of two additional rape charges and one count of attempted indecent assault.
The charges related to allegations involving six women and incidents spanning several years. The women involved in the case are entitled to lifelong anonymity under UK law.
Brand denied all the charges throughout the proceedings. His defence argued that the sexual encounters were consensual.
Police and Prosecutors Praise Complainants
Following the verdict, the Metropolitan Police praised the women who reported Brand and participated in the investigation.
Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy said the complainants had shown courage and determination despite the public attention surrounding the case.
The police investigation began after allegations against Brand were reported by Channel 4’s Dispatches, The Times and The Sunday Times in September 2023.
Investigators said they spoke to more than 100 witnesses, collected hundreds of statements and reviewed extensive documentary evidence while reconstructing events that occurred years earlier.
The CPS said the case focused on Brand’s actions and the question of consent, rather than assumptions about how complainants should behave or when they should report sexual offences.
Russell Brand Remanded Ahead of Sentencing
Following the verdict, Judge Mr Justice Bennathan refused Brand bail and ordered him to remain in custody ahead of sentencing.
The judge indicated that Brand should expect a substantial custodial sentence. The sentencing hearing is scheduled for Monday, November 9, at Southwark Crown Court.
Brand is also facing further police investigations concerning two additional rape allegations. Those allegations remain under investigation and have not resulted in convictions.
The verdict represents a major development in the case against the former television presenter, whose allegations first became widely publicised in 2023.
Brand rose to prominence as a comedian and television personality before appearing in Hollywood films including Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Get Him to the Greek. In recent years, he has built an online following as a social and political commentator.
The court’s sentencing decision is expected to determine the immediate consequences of his convictions.
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