Russell Brand Convicted of Rape, Taken Into Custody

Russell Brand was convicted of rape and three counts of sexual assault on Thursday, November 5, 2026, after a London jury found him guilty of attacking four women during his years as a comedian and television personality.

The 51-year-old was taken into custody at Southwark Crown Court after Judge Joel Bennathan warned that he faces a substantial prison sentence. Brand, who denied all seven charges, was acquitted of two additional rape counts and one count of attempted indecent assault. His sentencing is scheduled for Monday, November 9.

Bennathan refused a request from defense attorney Ian Winter KC to allow Brand to remain free on bail until sentencing so he could spend time with his family. The judge cited concerns that Brand might flee rather than return to court, telling him to expect a custodial sentence of considerable length.

The convictions involve incidents between 2004 and 2009, including the rape of a woman who went home with Brand after attending one of his comedy performances. Three other women were sexually assaulted in separate encounters at a London bar, a workplace and during a recording.

Jurors returned the verdicts after approximately eight and a half hours of deliberations, which began Tuesday following four weeks of proceedings. Six women testified against Brand, describing encounters in which they said he disregarded their refusals or forced them into unwanted sexual activity.

The case followed a 2023 investigation by Channel 4's Dispatches and British newspapers that prompted women to come forward with allegations against the entertainer. Police subsequently opened a criminal investigation, and prosecutors brought charges in 2025.

Brand testified in his own defense, acknowledging that he had behaved selfishly and misused his celebrity status during his years in entertainment. He maintained that every sexual encounter was consensual and denied committing rape or sexual assault.

Winter challenged the women's accounts during closing arguments, claiming that publicity surrounding the 2023 investigation had influenced their recollections. Prosecutor Riel Karmy-Jones KC rejected that argument and maintained that the women had independently reported their experiences.

Following the verdict, senior Crown Prosecutor David Roberts said Brand had exploited his celebrity status to commit sexual offenses. Prosecutors argued throughout the trial that his growing fame enabled him to disregard women's consent.

The Metropolitan Police investigation involved more than 100 witnesses and extensive reviews of documents, interviews and recordings from Brand's entertainment career. Detectives examined accounts spanning several years and compared them with statements Brand provided during police questioning.

Police also confirmed that two further rape allegations involving Brand remain under investigation. Detectives have interviewed him under caution in connection with those complaints and submitted case files to the Crown Prosecution Service for consideration. No additional charges have been announced in connection with those investigations.

Brand remains in custody ahead of his November 9 sentencing hearing at Southwark Crown Court, where the judge will determine his punishment for the four convictions.