Russell Brand found guilty of raping young fan and three counts of sexual assault
Warning: This article contains discussion of rape and sexual assault which some readers may find distressing.
Russell Brand has been found guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault, after facing a total of seven charges against six women.
At Southwark Crown Court in London today (5 November), the British actor was found guilty of raping a young fan he met after one of his Hammersmith Apollo shows in 2009, as well as also being found guilty of sexually assaulting a woman at a Soho bar in 2004.
The other guilty charges include a sexual assault in 2004 or 2005 at Choice FM, and of sexually assaulting a woman working on a project at Channel 4 in 2009.
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After deliberating on their verdicts for eight and a half hours, Brand was cleared by the jury of two count of rapes and one charge of attempted indecent assault.
Russell Brand's verdicts
Guilty
Count 3: Sexual assault
Count 5: Sexual assault
Count 6: Rape
Count 7: Sexual assault
Not guilty
Count 1: Rape
Count 2: Attempted indecent assault
Count 4: Rape
After Brand entered the dock, he told his wife Laura Gallacher 'I love you'. He then is said to have displayed no emotion as the jury delivered its verdicts.
Mr Justice Bennathan told him after the verdict: "Sit down Mr Brand. Mr Winter, Ms Karmy-Jones, just on what happens next given the verdict on count six at least, obviously a custodial sentence of some length will result.”
The judge said the case was 'very well prepared', adding the sentencing hearing would take place on Monday.
Brand had claimed to be the victim of a media conspiracy to paint him as a sexual predator and insisted in court that consent to him was 'more important than sex itself'.
Bennathan said: "You’ve been convicted of a number of offences including rape. The consequence of that is inevitably a significant custodial term. My current view is that I therefore have to remand you into custody."
It was revealed in previous hearings at Southwark Crown Court that Brand has been accused of raping two more women, including a 16-year-old schoolgirl, and could face further criminal charges.
A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police has since confirmed to Sky News that an investigation into the additional rape allegations is 'ongoing'.
"The suspect has previously been interviewed under caution in connection with the allegations," the spokesperson said. "Files have been submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service in relation to both complainants.
"Detectives remain in close contact with prosecutors as enquiries continue and further investigative work is carried out."
What did Russell Brand say in response to the charges?
The 51-year-old denied all of the charges against him.
Speaking during the closing moments of his trial, Brand's legal team acknowledged that acting like a 'crazy idiot' towards women was not a crime.
"It is not criminal to treat women unkindly before, during or after sex," he told the court. "It is not, I am afraid, criminal to be disrespectful or rude or to act like a crazy idiot.
"If there is consent it is lawful."
Winter also alleged that a joint investigation by Channel 4 and The Times had 'poisoning of the well' in Brand's case, claiming that it had 'drawn' the women forward to make their allegations and accused them of being 'not random [and] not independent'.
"What matters is [Brand] had an immense amount of sex and none of it was unlawful," Winter told jurors.
If you have been affected by any of the issues in this article and wish to speak to someone in confidence, contact the Rape Crisis England and Wales helpline on 0808 500 222, available 24/7. If you are currently in danger or need urgent medical attention, you should call 999.
If you have been affected by any of the issues in this article and wish to speak to someone in confidence, contact The Survivors Trust for free on 08088 010 818, available 10am-12.30pm, 1.30pm-3pm and 6pm-8pm Monday to Thursday, 10am-12.30pm and 1.30pm-3pm on Fridays, 10am-12.30pm on Saturdays and 6pm-8pm on Sundays.
Topics: UK News, Russell Brand
Brenna Cooper
