English comedian Russell Brand , former husband of American singer Katy Perry , was on Thursday convicted of rape and sexual assault over incidents involving four women that date back more than 20 years.
The 51-year-old was found guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault. During the trial, his lawyers argued that the women’s accounts, which resulted in his conviction, were undermined by the fact that they approached the police years after the incidents and following the broadcast of a 2023 documentary featuring anonymous allegations against him.
Brand is scheduled to be sentenced on November 9, with judge Joel Bennathan indicating that the comedian faces a “significant” prison term. During his testimony, Brand had said that friends and colleagues had “abandoned” him. Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy of London’s Metropolitan Police hailed the conviction as “a testament to the extraordinary courage, resilience and determination of the women who came forward and reported what happened to them”.
However, he was acquitted of two counts of rape and one count of attempted indecent assault. The jury, comprising eight men and four women at Southwark Crown Court, deliberated for more than eight hours over two days before reaching its verdict. He had been out on bail and was taken into custody following the verdict. His wife, author Laura Brand, who accompanied him to court, appeared as a character witness in his defence. However, no one with relevant evidence was willing to testify on his behalf. A prosecutor described the actor-comedian as a “ruthless, calculating, manipulative sexual predator. Furphy also highlighted how Brand used his public standing to target women. “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,” the Associated Press quoted him as saying.
A career marked by drug addiction
Earlier reporting noted: Comedian Russell Brand found guilty of rape and sexual assault British comedian and actor Russell Brand was found guilty in a London court on Thursday of rape and sexual assault charges on allegations dating back more than 20 years. As per the latest update from AP, the trial was held at in a London court on November 5, where Judge Joel Bennathan said that the comedian would receive a prison term when he is sentenced Monday.
He appeared in Hollywood films including “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” and “Get Him to the Greek” and was briefly married to Katy Perry. The criminal case had a “devastating” impact on his life and family, according to Brand. “My entire life has been consumed by these events, these allegations, these accusations,” he remarked earlier. Earlier reporting noted: The comedian said the criminal case had a devastating impact on his life and family. “My entire life has been consumed by these events, these allegations, these accusations,” he said.
Known for risqué stand-up routines and battles with drugs and alcohol, Brand rose to prominence in the early 2000s, hosting television programs and his own BBC radio show. In recent years, he had moved away from mainstream media, relocated to Florida, and built a large online following through videos featuring discussions on wellness, conspiracy theories and his religious devotion. You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test. He was convicted of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault involving four women. He was acquitted of two rape counts and one count of attempted indecent assault.
Earlier reporting noted: Russell Brand, who is the former husband of US singer Katy Perry, denied the charges and testified that he was obsessed with sex as a young man and once led a promiscuous life but had never forced anyone to do something against their will.