The key facts
- The Southwark Crown Court jury returned four unanimous guilty verdicts; Brand was acquitted on two counts of rape and one count of attempted indecent assault
- Brand was taken into custody, sentencing is on Monday; the judge spoke of a 'substantial prison sentence'
- According to investigators, the crimes were committed in 2005–2009 against four women; allegations by two more women remain outside the trial
The jury's verdict and the reaction in the courtroom
On Thursday, the jury of Southwark Crown Court in London found British comedian and actor Russell Brand guilty of rape and three sexual assaults; according to the prosecution, the crimes were committed against four women between 2005 and 2009 — at a radio station, during a DVD shoot, and at Brand's home. The 51-year-old Brand showed no emotion as the verdict was read out; at the same time, he was acquitted on two counts of rape and one count of attempted indecent assault. Euronews reports.
No bail granted, sentencing on Monday
Brand, who in recent years has become a conservative religious online blogger, was taken into custody immediately after the verdict. According to the outlet, Judge Joel Bennathan said he faces a 'substantial prison sentence'; the maximum penalty for rape in the UK is life imprisonment. Defence lawyer Ian Winter asked that his client be released on bail until sentencing so that he could 'say goodbye to his three young children', but the judge refused, citing Brand's 'significant resources' and concern that he might fail to appear for sentencing. The sentence will be handed down on Monday. From the dock, Brand passed word to his defence team that he was all right.
Assessments by investigators and allegations outside the trial
Senior prosecutor David Roberts described Brand's behaviour as 'predatory' and said he had 'used his celebrity status to commit sexual offences'. Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy of Scotland Yard said Brand 'used his influence, status and fame to exploit women' and expressed the hope that the sentence would show that 'no one is above the law'. Brand himself denied all the charges, asserting that although he had been promiscuous in the past, all his encounters were consensual. According to Euronews, during the four-week trial, allegations of rape by two more women also surfaced, including a 16-year-old schoolgirl, but they were not part of this case.
