London Judge Sentences Russell Brand to Prison After Rape Conviction

Russell Brand was convicted Thursday of rape and three counts of sexual assault in a London court.

Judge Joel Bennathan ordered the 51-year-old British actor and comedian into custody immediately.

The judge rejected a request for bail, citing the risk that Brand might flee before his sentencing hearing on Monday.

Bennathan stated that Brand faces a substantial prison term.

The verdict resolved allegations involving four women, with dates for the incidents stretching back more than 20 years.

Brand was found guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault.

The jury acquitted him of two rape counts and one count of attempted indecent assault.

The jury, composed of eight men and four women, spent more than eight hours over two days deliberating in Southwark Crown Court.

Prosecutor Riel Karmy-Jones described Brand as a ruthless, calculating, and manipulative sexual predator during the trial.

Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy of the London Metropolitan Police called the conviction a testament to the courage of the women who reported the incidents.

Furphy said Brand used his influence, status, and fame to exploit women, noting that his sense of entitlement grew as his profile rose.

Brand denied the charges while on the stand, testifying that he had once led a promiscuous life and was obsessed with sex as a young man but never forced anyone against their will. He said the case had a devastating impact on his life and family, adding that his entire life had been consumed by the events and accusations. He also claimed friends and colleagues had abandoned him. His wife, Laura, testified as a character witness, though Brand noted that no one with relevant evidence was willing to speak for his defense. Brand’s lawyers argued that the delay in reporting the assaults and the 2023 documentary that included anonymous allegations undermined the victims' credibility. Brand was known for risqué stand-up routines and battles with drugs and alcohol. He rose to prominence in the early 2000s, hosting television programs and a BBC radio show. He appeared in films such as Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Get Him to the Greek and was briefly married to pop star Katy Perry. In recent years, he moved away from mainstream media, relocated to Florida, and built a large online following with videos mixing wellness, conspiracy theories, and religious devotion. The convictions include a 2004 sexual assault at a London bar, a 2004 or 2005 kiss and grope at a London radio station, a 2009 anal rape of a fan backstage at a comedy show, and a 2009 sexual assault during an advertisement recording. He was cleared of a 1999 rape in Bournemouth and an attempted indecent assault at an MTV office. British law protects the identities of sexual violence victims from the media for life. Brand closed his eyes when the guilty verdict on the rape count was read. When bail was denied, he gestured to his lawyers and repeatedly said, I’m good, I’m good, I’m good, before being taken away.