The key facts

  • The jury deliberated for 8 hours 30 minutes; guilt was established on one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault
  • The charges covered 1999–2009 and six complainants; Brand was acquitted on two counts of rape and the attempted assault
  • Judge Joel Bennathan said a 'significant' prison sentence would follow; sentencing is set for Monday

The verdict after a three-week trial

On Thursday the jury at London's Southwark Crown Court found 51-year-old British comedian and actor Russell Brand guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault; he was acquitted on two counts of rape and one of attempted indecent assault. This was reported by BBC News and Deutsche Welle. The jury deliberated for 8 hours 30 minutes. The charges covered a ten-year period from 1999 to 2009 and involved six female complainants — that is, the years in which Brand rose from a stand-up comedian on small stages to a television host and Hollywood actor (the films 'Forgetting Sarah Marshall' and 'Get Him to the Greek'). The prosecution called him a 'ruthless sexual predator'.

What happened in court

BBC correspondent Sima Kotecha, who covered the trial, notes the contrast between Brand's public image and his behaviour in the courtroom: in the dock he sat almost motionless, showing no visible emotion, even when harrowing testimony was read out. At the same time, in the mornings outside the court building he willingly engaged with the press — on the first day of the trial he told journalists: 'Today I feel blessed.' Only his wife Laura gave testimony in court; no other defence witnesses appeared. Brand himself took the stand on the tenth day of the trial, rejected all the charges under oath and said that 'consent is fundamental, essential and necessary.' Judge Joel Bennathan, after the verdict, said a 'sentence of some length' would follow and scheduled the sentencing for Monday of next week.

Brand's position and what comes next

Before the trial, Brand had pleaded not guilty to the original charges and stated: 'I was a drug addict, sex addict and a fool, but I was never a rapist.' He also said the case had had a devastating effect on his life and family. In recent years Brand has left the mainstream media, moved to Florida and built a large online audience there with videos combining wellness, conspiracy topics and religious themes; he appeared in court with crucifixes of various sizes. For now, the convicted man faces imprisonment: the specific sentence will be announced on Monday, and until then it remains unclear whether he will appeal the verdict — sources have not reported on this.

Court sketch of Russell Brand in the dock at Southwark Crown Court on 28 OctoberImage source, Julia Quenzler
Image caption,

Brand's stillness was striking in the dock

Russell Brand (L) arrives with his wife, Laura Brand (R), at Southwark Crown Court in London, Britain, 03 November 2026. Brand stands holding his wife's hand. He has a dark jacket and long white scarf. He has long brown grey wavy hair and is wearing dark glasses. He has a beard and moustache.Laura Brand has blong shoulder length hair and is wearing dark glasses and a black coat. A man with long grey wavy hair and dark glasses walks behind the couple. He has a beard and moustache.Image source, EPA
Image caption,

Some reporters did a double-take when a man looking a little like Brand showed up outside the court

Bernard Gallacher in a suit and tie with one hand on the shoulder of his daughter Laura, in a dark coat. Russell Brand walks next to them in a dark jacket and dark glasses.Image source, Press Association
Image caption,

Brand's wife Laura was supported by her father Bernard Gallacher who sat next to her in the gallery