LONDON — November 5, 2026. British comedian and media personality Russell Brand, 51, was convicted Thursday of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault after a four-week trial at Southwark Crown Court in London.
The jury found Brand guilty of offences against four women dating from 2004 to 2009. Jurors acquitted him of two other rape charges and one count of attempted indecent assault. Brand denied the allegations and maintained that his sexual encounters were consensual.
What happens next?
Judge Joel Bennathan refused bail and remanded Brand in custody after the verdicts. The judge indicated that a significant prison sentence would follow. Sentencing is scheduled for Monday, November 9, 2026, at Southwark Crown Court. No sentence has yet been imposed.
How the case reached court
Public allegations against Brand received widespread attention in September 2023 following investigations by The Times, The Sunday Times and Channel 4’s Dispatches. Police later investigated complaints and prosecutors brought criminal charges. The Metropolitan Police said investigators interviewed more than 100 witnesses and reviewed thousands of documents.
Six women were complainants in the trial, with the four convictions involving four of them. Under English law, complainants in sexual offence cases have lifelong anonymity. The acquittals are part of the verdict and should not be confused with the counts on which Brand was convicted.
The verdict and public accountability
The verdict marks a major development in a case involving a well-known entertainer. It is also a reminder of the importance of reporting the full court record: the charges, the convictions, the acquittals, the defence position and the pending sentencing.
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