Crimeupdated 55m ago2 min read
Archive photo · 18 December 2025Russell Brand Convicted Of Rape And Sexual Assault In London Court
8 Western Mainstream6 Other2 West Asian4 Other source typesPhoto: Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Cropped for layout
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Russell Brand convicted of one rape and three sexual assaults at Southwark Crown Court. Brand was acquitted on two rape counts and one attempted indecent assault.
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Verdict at Southwark Crown Court
A London jury at Southwark Crown Court found British comedian and actor Russell Brand guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault on Thursday, and Judge Joel Bennathan said Brand would be sentenced on Monday. The jury acquitted Brand of two other rape charges and one count of attempted indecent assault, and the court took Brand into custody after the verdict.
Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy of London’s Metropolitan Police said the conviction was "a testament to the extraordinary courage, resilience and determination of the women who came forward and reported what happened to them". Senior Crown prosecutor David Roberts said in a statement shared with CBC News that "Russell Brand was predatory and used his celebrity status to commit sexual crimes."
Charges, deliberations, and custody
CBC News reported that a jury of eight men and four women deliberated for more than eight hours over two days, and the verdict followed allegations dating back more than 20 years. CBS News partner BBC reported that Bennathan told Brand, "The consequence of that is inevitably a significant custodial term," and Bennathan remanded Brand into custody after denying bail.
Brand, who was 51, denied the charges and testified that he was obsessed with sex as a young man and had never forced anyone to do something against their will, and he said consent was "fundamental, essential and necessary." The Metropolitan Police said it confirmed there is an ongoing investigation into allegations of rape made by two women, and it confirmed Brand has been interviewed about those allegations.
Sentence risk and next steps
Judge Joel Bennathan warned Brand that he faces a "substantial prison term," and multiple outlets said Brand would learn his sentence next Monday. Elonce reported that Brand could face a possible prison sentence of up to 19 years, and La Voz del Interior said the sentence determination would be announced next Monday.
“He now faces a possible prison sentence of up to 19 years.”
Furphy told the court that "Brand used his influence, status and fame to exploit and sexually offend against women," and he added that "As his profile grew, so too did his sense of entitlement." Brand’s lawyers argued that the alleged victims were undermined by the fact that they only went to police years after the alleged assaults, and Brand said the criminal case had a devastating impact on his life and family.