Russell Brand Found Guilty of Rape and Sexual Assault, Police Say More Victims May Come Forward
Comedian Russell Brand has been convicted of one rape and three sexual assaults at Southwark Crown Court in London. He is set to be sentenced next week, and police say he is also under investigation over two further rape allegations.
Verdict and charges
A London jury has found Brand guilty of a single rape charge and three counts of sexual assault. The panel of eight men and four women reached its verdicts after a trial lasting around three to four weeks (Russell Brand is convicted of rape, and judge says he'll get a prison term – NPR) (Russell Brand is being investigated over two new rape complaints, police say – BBC News).
Custody and sentencing
Judge Joel Bennathan said the 51-year-old faces a significant prison term. He refused bail over the risk that Brand might flee, and Brand was taken into custody (Russell Brand Behind Bars After Rape Conviction as Judge Weighs Bail – tmz.com). Sentencing is scheduled for Monday (Un jurado declara al actor Russell Brand culpable de una violación y tres agresiones sexuales – EL PAÍS). The judge acknowledged the impact on Brand's children but said the hardship stemmed from the offences.
Prosecution case
Prosecutors described Brand as a calculating and manipulative figure who treated women as objects. The alleged attacks took place in a hotel room, a bathroom and his London flat. Brand has denied the charges and said he had never forced anyone into sex against their will (Kohus mõistis Russell Brandi vägistamises ja seksuaalrünnakutes süüdi – ERR).
Further investigation
Det Supt Andy Furphy, who led the inquiry, said he expected more victims to come forward and hoped the verdicts would give them confidence to do so (‘Our work’s not done’: Russell Brand detective urges other potential victims to come forward – The Guardian). Hundreds of people were interviewed during the investigation, and several witnesses, some of whom had previously had sexual relationships with Brand, came forward. Brand also faces a civil claim in the UK.
Sources
- [1]
Russell Brand Behind Bars After Rape Conviction as Judge Weighs Bail· tmz.com - [2]
Kohus mõistis Russell Brandi vägistamises ja seksuaalrünnakutes süüdi· ERR - [3]
Un jurado declara al actor Russell Brand culpable de una violación y tres agresiones sexuales· EL PAÍS - [4]
Russell Brand is being investigated over two new rape complaints, police say· BBC News - [5]
Russell Brand is convicted of rape, and judge says he'll get a prison term· NPR - [6]
‘Our work’s not done’: Russell Brand detective urges other potential victims to come forward· The Guardian
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Russell Brand Found Guilty of Rape and Sexual Assault, Police Say More Victims May Come Forward
Comedian Russell Brand has been convicted of one rape and three sexual assaults at Southwark Crown Court in London. He is set to be sentenced next week, and po…