Russell Brand is facing years behind bars after he was found guilty of one count of rape and three sexual assaults following a dramatic four-week trial.
Brand, now 51, preyed on women he encountered while becoming one of Britain’s best-known stand-up comedians, a lauded TV and radio host, and a Hollywood movie star.
His victims told the trial how he had forced them into sexual activity, sometimes within seconds of them first meeting, using his immense fame to pursue a goal of sex with 5,000 women.
At Southwark Crown Court on Thursday, a jury found Brand guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault, after deliberating for eight and a half hours.
He was cleared by the jury of two counts of rape and one charge of attempted indecent assault.
The comedian stood upright in the dock and showed limited emotion as the verdicts were delivered.
Judge Mr Justice Bennathan told Brand the charges meant he faced “a custodial sentence of some length” when he is sentenced on Monday.
Key Points
- Brand found guilty of one count of rape and three sexual assaults
- Brand told he faces 'a custodial sentence of some length' when sentenced on Monday
- Star showed no emotion and said loudly 'yes my lord' before being led to cells
- Brand could face further charges over two more rape allegations
- Which charges was Brand found guilty of?
- Will Russell Brand go to prison after rape conviction?
In full: Brand now accused of sending car to pick up 16-year-old girl from school for sexual encounters
15:07 , Tom BarnesRussell Brand is under investigation for two more alleged rapes and further victims could still come forward, police have warned following his conviction.
The Metropolitan Police believe more women may have been targeted by the serial sex offender and have confirmed he is currently under investigation over the alleged rapes of two more women.
One of the allegations under investigation was featured in a 2023 Channel 4 documentary Dispatches alleging sexual misconduct, court documents reveal. The woman alleges she was 16 when Brand sent a car to collect her from school for sexual encounters.
Brand has been interviewed under caution and files have been passed to the Crown Prosecution Service in relation to both complainants.
Our crime correspondent Amy-Clare Martin has more here:
Brand under investigation for two more rapes as police urge victims to come forward
Brand requested bail over weekend: 'to explain convictions to his children'
15:01 , Tom BarnesMr Justice Bennathan ruled that Brand must be remanded into custody until sentencing on Monday, when he will receive a lengthy prison sentence.
The judge said: “I regret the hardship caused to the children, of course”, after being told that Brand would like bail over the weekend to explain the convictions to his children.
But he said Brand “has considerable resources”, adding: “Whatever the good intentions of the family and the defendant today, I think there are substantial grounds to fear he might in the end not feel able to come along and face his sentence.”
Pictured: Brand's wife Laura Gallacher leaves court after verdicts
14:59 , Tom Barnes
Police release images of Brand being questioned
14:55 , Tom BarnesPolice have released images of Russell Brand being questioned by officers for the first time, following his conviction for rape and three counts of sexual assault.
Brand used fame to commit sex attacks on women, Met Police say
14:53 , Tom BarnesRussell Brand “used his influence, status and fame” to commit sex attacks on women, the Metropolitan Police has said.
Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy, from the Met, said: “Today’s verdict is first and foremost a testament to the extraordinary courage, resilience and determination of the women who came forward and reported what happened to them.
“Despite intense media and public scrutiny, they relived deeply personal and traumatic experiences, and placed their trust in us. Without their bravery, this outcome would not have been possible.
“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. I hope this conviction sends a clear message that no-one is above the law, no matter how famous or powerful they may be.
“I want to pay tribute to the team of detectives and specialist staff who worked tirelessly on this investigation. Their professionalism, determination and compassion for the victims represent the very best of the Metropolitan Police.
“Finally, I would urge anyone who may have been a victim of rape or serious sexual assault to speak to us. You will be listened to, supported and treated with dignity and respect.”
Brand remanded in custody until sentencing
14:51 , Amy-Clare MartinRussell Brand has been denied bail and has been remanded in custody until Monday, when he is due to be sentenced.
Prosecution agreed not to mention Brand's ex-wife Katy Perry during trial
14:49 , Tom BarnesPop star Katy Perry was airbrushed out of the prosecution case against Russell Brand, while jurors were blocked from hearing details of his addictions to drink and drugs.
Prosecutors wanted to mention Perry when opening the case against Brand over allegations of rape and sexual assault during 10 years of his showbiz career.
But the Grammy-nominated singer was removed from lead prosecutor Riel Karmy-Jones KC’s speech after submissions made by Brand’s legal team.
The prosecutors also agreed not to bring up Brand’s past religious interests, prior to his recent conversion to Christianity.
He and Perry were married in a traditional Hindu ceremony in Rajasthan, in India, in 2010, at a venue close to a tiger sanctuary.
But in the last two years, Brand has converted to Christianity. It now forms the centrepiece of his podcast and online content, and at times during the trial he was seen praying in the dock.
In legal submissions before the trial began, Ms Karmy-Jones set out: “The prosecution recognise that matters post 2009 involving his relationship with Katy Perry may be sensitive, as may his previous faiths, and we are content to remove these from the opening.”
She also agreed to remove mention of Brand’s baptism in the River Thames in Henley in 2024, in a ceremony that was attended by TV presenter Bear Grylls.
Breaking: Brand could face further charges over two more rape allegations
14:41 , Tom BarnesRussell Brand has been accused of raping two more women and could now face further criminal charges, it can be revealed.
Brand, now 51, was found guilty of raping one woman and sexually assaulting three others between 2004 and 2009, after a four-week trial at Southwark Crown Court.
It can now be reported that more women came forward to police after Brand was first accused, and prosecutors are assessing whether to bring further charges.
The Metropolitan Police has confirmed that investigations are ongoing into two allegations of rape made against Brand.
At pre-trial court hearings, it was revealed that one of the complaints comes from a woman who dated Brand when he was 30 years old and she was a 16-year-old schoolgirl.
A police spokesperson said: “The Met’s investigation into allegations of rape made by two women remains ongoing.
“The suspect has previously been interviewed under caution in connection with the allegations.
“Files have been submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service in relation to both complainants.
“Detectives remain in close contact with prosecutors as inquiries continue and further investigative work is carried out.”
Brand told wife: 'I love you' as he entered dock
14:40 , Amy-Clare MartinThe Essex-born celebrity, who appeared in dock wearing a grey three-piece suit, told his wife Laura Brand “I love you” as he entered the dock and the door was locked.
He displayed no emotion as the jury delivered its verdicts and kept his head held high as he was led to the cells by dock officers, having been told he faces a "significant custodial term".
His wife, who was the only witness who gave live evidence in his defence, appeared visibly emotional and left the courtroom clutching her members of her husband’s entourage.
Brand's wife bowed head as verdicts were read out
14:36 , Tom BarnesLaura Gallacher appeared to hunch forward when the judge said Brand would be handed a custodial sentence.
When the first guilty verdict was read out she bowed her head.
For the rest of the hearing she appeared to hold on to her chair with her body facing towards the judge.
Brand's dramatic fall from grace
14:34 , Tom BarnesOnce a celebrated comedian who starred in Hollywood films, Russell Brand has now been convicted of a string of sex offences.
The 51-year-old, who soared to fame when he fronted Big Brother’s Big Mouth, was found guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault following a high-profile four-week trial at Southwark Crown Court.
The trial marked an extraordinary fall from grace for the media personality, who became a major household name in late noughties and was married to Katy Perry, one of the world’s most famous pop stars.
Russell Brand’s dramatic fall from grace – from Hollywood star to disgraced rapist
Will Russell Brand go to prison after rape conviction?
14:30 , Tom BarnesBrand has been found guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault today at Southwark Crown Court
The comedian, 51, who denied all charges against him, was also acquitted of two rape charges and a further accusation of attempted indecent assault.
A jury of eight men and four women took around nine hours to deliver their verdicts for each of the seven allegations against him.
After the verdicts were delivered, Mr Justice Bennathan told Brand that he faced a “significant custodial term”.
Could Russell Brand go to prison if convicted – and how long would he be jailed for?
Judge tells Brand he believes he should be remanded in custody
14:26 , Tom BarnesMr Justice Bennathan said: “You’ve been convicted of a number of offences including rape.
“The consequence of that is inevitably a significant custodial term.
“My current view is that I therefore have to remand you into custody.”
Brand taken to cells ahead of bail arguments
14:24 , Amy-Clare MartinRussell Brand has been taken down to the cells until 3pm, when arguments over bail will be made.
He showed no emotion and said loudly, "yes my lord" before was led to cells by dock officers.
Judge tells Brand he faces 'custodial sentence of some length'
14:21 , Tom BarnesAfter the verdict, Mr Justice Bennathan said: “Sit down Mr Brand.
“Mr Winter, Ms Karmy-Jones, just on what happens next given the verdict on count six at least, obviously a custodial sentence of some length will result.”
The judge said the case was “very well prepared”, adding the sentencing hearing would take place on Monday.
Which charges did jury find Brand guilty of?
14:20 , Tom BarnesBrand has been found not guilty of raping a woman he met at a cabaret show on the fringes of the 1999 Labour Party conference in Bournemouth.
The jury found him not guilty of trying to drag an MTV worker in to a toilet to indecently assault her in 2001.
He is guilty of groping another MTV worker during a party at a Soho bar in 2004, but not guilty of going on to orally rape her in a toilet.
Jurors found Brand guilty of sexually assaulting a Capital Radio worker after encountering her in a corridor in 2005.
He was found guilty of raping a 21-year-old fan after meeting her at a 2009 stand-up show at the Hammersmith Apollo.
And Brand was found guilty of sexually assaulting a Channel 4 worker during a forced massage in 2009.
Brand closes his eyes as verdicts read out in court
14:17 , Tom BarnesRussell Brand closed his eyes as he was found guilty of raping a young fan after one of his shows in 2009.
He stood upright in the dock and showed limited emotion as the verdicts were delivered.
Breaking: Brand guilty of one count of rape and three sexual assaults
14:14 , Tom BarnesThe jury deliver their verdicts
Count 1: Rape - NOT GUILTY
Count 2a: Attempted indecent assault - NOT GUILTY
Count 3: Sexual assault - GUILTY
Count 4: Rape - NOT GUILTY
Count 5: Sexual assault - GUILTY
Count 6: Rape - GUILTY
Count 7: Sexual assault - GUILTY
Breaking: Jury reaches verdict in Russell Brand trial
14:08 , Tom BarnesThe jury in the trial of Russell Brand has returned a verdict after almost two days of deliberations.
The comedian and actor, 51, is on trial at Southwark Crown Court and denies three charges of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of attempted indecent assault against six women, in allegations spanning 10 years from 1999 to 2009.
