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Russell Brand, British TV and Hollywood star, convicted of rape
A jury at London’s Southwark Crown Court found the 51-year-old comedian guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault. Brand, who denied all the charges, was remanded in custody, with sentencing due on Monday.
British comedian, television presenter and actor Russell Brand, one of the United Kingdom’s best-known entertainers in the 2000s, has been found guilty of rape and sexual assault. The verdict was delivered on Thursday, 5 November, by a jury at Southwark Crown Court in London.
The jury, made up of eight men and four women, found 51-year-old Brand guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault against four women. He was acquitted of two other rape charges and one charge of attempted indecent assault. Brand denied all seven charges. Under British law, the names of the complainants are protected for life.
From stand-up to Hollywood
Brand began as a stand-up comedian and, according to the BBC, became widely known as a television presenter, including on Big Brother's Big Mouth on Channel 4, as well as through his own shows on BBC Radio 2 and 6 Music. He published several bestselling autobiographies in which he spoke openly about his addictions to drugs and alcohol.
He later pursued a career in Hollywood, appearing in the comedies Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Get Him to the Greek. From 2010 to 2012, he was married to American pop singer Katy Perry.
Brand outside the court in London during the trial, which began on 14 October 2026. He attended the hearings with his wife, Laura.
A second career online
In recent years, Brand has moved away from traditional media. AP and NBC News reported that he relocated to Florida and built a large online audience by releasing videos about American politics, healthy living, conspiracy theories and his new Christian faith. The BBC describes him as an “online commentator on social, political and religious issues.”
The allegations became public in September 2023 following a joint investigation by Channel 4’s Dispatches programme and The Times and The Sunday Times newspapers. Four women accused him of rape, sexual assault and psychological abuse. Brand categorically denied everything, while the Metropolitan Police soon began an investigation and, according to the BBC, gathered more than 340 witness statements.
Charges, trial and sentencing
In April 2025, Brand was charged over incidents involving four women between 1999 and 2005. Two further charges involving two other women were added later. The defence argued that all the relationships had been consensual and pointed out that the complainants had gone to the police only years later, after the release of the documentary.
Judge Joel Bennathan said Brand would “inevitably” face a “substantial prison sentence” and refused to grant him bail before sentencing. His lawyer, Ian Winter, asked for him to be released for the weekend so that he could say goodbye to his three young children, but the judge cited the defendant’s “significant resources” and the risk that he would fail to appear in court. Sentencing is due on Monday, 9 November.
Police and broadcasters respond
Andy Furphy, a detective superintendent with the Metropolitan Police, praised the “exceptional courage” of the women who came forward. “Brand used his influence, status and fame to exploit women and commit sexual offences against them,” he said. David Roberts, a senior prosecutor with the Crown Prosecution Service, said Brand had used his celebrity status to commit offences.
Channel 4, which broadcast programmes featuring Brand at the time, said it recognised the “profound consequences of these offences.” The BBC repeated its apologies to staff who, the corporation said, had been reluctant to complain about Brand’s behaviour in 2006–2008, when he worked for the BBC.
Brand showed no emotion as the verdict was delivered and, as he left, told his lawyers: “I’m fine.” His father, Ron Brand, told the BBC that he was “shocked” by the jury’s decision. Police said they were continuing to investigate allegations made by two other women.
Photo: Thomas Krych/ZUMA Press Wire/IMAGO via DW, AP
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