It is the conclusion of a trial that has been going on for months: a London court has found the British comedian and actor Russell Brand guilty of rape. The jury also found pop star Katy Perry's ex-husband guilty of three other sexual assaults on Thursday. He was acquitted of charges of rape in two other cases and one attempted sexual assault. Judge Joel Bennathan said the 51-year-old could face a “significant prison sentence”.
Brand was therefore immediately taken into custody and an application for release on bail was rejected; there is a risk of escape. The sentence will be announced next Monday.
The public prosecutor's office had accused Brand of having committed sexual assaults on six women between 1999 and 2009, including rape. Brand denied the allegations in the trial. He watched the verdict announced motionless and with his eyes closed. According to British media, the multi-millionaire is now threatened with further lawsuits, including for damages.
Prosecutor Riel Karmy-Jones said in her closing statement to the jury of eight men and four women on Tuesday that several of the alleged victims had initially found Brand to be a pleasant person to be around. "Then it was like his personality changed, like there was a turning point. His look changed, he freaked out," Karmy-Jones said.
Brand had pleaded not guilty to all charges at Southwark Crown Court. He explained that although he had previously led a promiscuous life, the sex had always been consensual. Brand's lawyer Ian Winter said in his plea that it was "not a criminal offense to treat women unkindly before, during or after sex."
The public prosecutor had previously described the actor as a “sexual offender” who treated his victims in a “merciless, calculating and manipulative” manner. Brand was accompanied at most court appearances by his wife Laura, who also testified in his defense. The couple has three children together. The defendant was unable to present any other exculpatory statements: friends and colleagues had turned away from him since the allegations became known, Brand recently said, according to the British news agency PA.
Brand's former personal assistant Helen Berger also testified against him; she reported that he had an “insane sexual appetite” and treated women badly. She explained that his “bad behavior” was seen as normal in those around him; Finally she had “enough of him” and quit.
The allegations became public after a joint investigation by The Times and Channel 4 in 2023; In it, women had their say who said they had been sexually abused and humiliated by Brand.
Brand's lawyers then argued in the trial that the credibility of the alleged victims was weakened by the fact that they only contacted the police years after the alleged attacks - and after an anonymous accusation.
Just minutes after the guilty verdict was announced, new allegations were made against the ex-comedian. The London Met Police are investigating allegations of rape by two women, as reported by the British news agency PA, among others. Brand has already been questioned about the allegations.
Brand “used his influence, status and fame” to commit sexual assaults on women, Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy of London Police said in a statement. “As his fame increased, his sense of entitlement grew.” The verdict is proof of the courage of the women affected, said Furphy. “I hope this conviction sends a clear message that no one is above the law, no matter how famous or powerful they may be.”
Brand began his career as a stand-up comedian before becoming a presenter on the music channel MTV and reality television series. From 2006 to 2008 he presented a BBC radio show. He was forced to leave after a tasteless live prank in which he left a lewd voicemail on an actor's voicemail about his granddaughter.
After the verdict, the role of the public broadcaster is now being debated in the British media, and also the question of whether the star's activities could or should have been recognized earlier: As a flamboyant bird of paradise and "enfant terrible", Brand was ultimately largely uncritically rewarded with decades of media presence, according to some - certainly self-critical - comments.
Russell Brand had previously made headlines for, among other things, drug use. He also admitted in court that he used to be obsessed with sex. His popularity made it easy for him to make sexual contacts. Looking back, he thinks this behavior was wrong.
Brand was also successful as an actor in films such as “Never Have Sex With Your Ex Again” or “Men's Trip” (“Get Him to the Greek”). He now lives in the US state of Florida. Millions of fans continue to follow him on online services where, among other things, he spreads conspiracy theories and presents himself as a born-again Christian.
