Russell Brand found guilty of rape and sexual assault after trial

Russell Brand found guilty of rape and sexual assault and facing years behind bars

Comedian and actor told he faces ‘significant custodial term’ as he is found guilty at Southwark Crown Court of one rape and three counts of sexual assault
Russell Brand arrives at court as jury reaches verdict
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Russell Brand is facing years in prison after being found guilty of one rape and three counts of sexual assault following his high-profile 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.

The comedian and actor closed his eyes in the dock at Southwark Crown Court as he was found guilty of raping a young fan he met after one of his Hammersmith Apollo shows in 2009.

Brand was found guilty of sexually assaulting a Channel 4 worker during a forced massage in 2009.

Jurors also found Brand guilty of sexually assaulting a Capital Radio worker after encountering her in a corridor in 2005.

He was found 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.

The judge told Brand the consequence of the verdicts is a “significant custodial term”.

Russell Brand was supported by his wife Laura Gallacher at Southwark Crown Court, London (James Manning/PA)
Russell Brand was supported by his wife Laura Gallacher at Southwark Crown Court

He was found 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 also found him not guilty of trying to drag an MTV worker in to a toilet to indecently assault her in 2001.

Brand stood upright in the dock and showed limited emotion as the verdicts were delivered.

The judge Mr Justice Bennathan told Brand: “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.”

The media personality was accused of attacking women in a hotel room, at his luxury London home, in their workplaces, and in a Soho bar toilet during a four week trial.

The 51-year-old had denied the three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault, and one allegation of attempted indecent assault.

During his evidence, Brand said consent during sex was “fundamental” and suggested to him it is “more important that the sex itself”.

He denied having a “goal” to sleep with 5,000 women and while he admitted he was “obsessed” with sex in his younger years, he denied the extent of the impact on his life.

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Original source Russell Brand found guilty of rape and sexual assault after trial

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