Russell Brand convicted of rape and sexual assault

Russell Brand has been convicted of rape and three sexual assaults against four women after a four-week trial at Southwark Crown Court.

The comedian and actor was remanded in custody after the judge rejected a request for bail. Judge Joel Bennathan said Brand would receive a significant prison sentence when he is sentenced on Monday, 9 November.

The jury unanimously found Brand guilty of the four offences, which took place between 2004 and 2009, according to the Metropolitan Police. He was also acquitted of two other rape charges and one count of attempted indecent assault.

Brand denied the charges and told the court he had never forced anyone to do something against their will, the Associated Press reported.

The BBC has published footage released by the Metropolitan Police showing Brand being interviewed by officers in 2023, 2024 and 2025. The force said that, during four interviews, he repeatedly said he did not recognise the women involved. Police said his account changed as the trial approached.

The Met began its investigation after allegations against Brand were reported by Channel 4’s Dispatches, The Times and The Sunday Times in September 2023. The Crown Prosecution Service said the four victims in the convicted offences are entitled to lifelong anonymity.