Russell Brand convicted of rape and sexual assault

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 5 Nov, 16:29 · Archive

Russell Brand was found guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault at Southwark Crown Court.

Russell Brand was found guilty on Thursday of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault at Southwark Crown Court following a trial relating to alleged incidents between 2006 and 2013. The allegations involved six women and first came to light following an investigation by The Times, The Sunday Times and Channel 4's Dispatches. Brand faced seven charges in total.

Prosecutors had initially sought to mention Katy Perry, Brand's ex-wife, when opening their case against the comedian and podcaster. However, lead prosecutor Riel Karmy-Jones KC removed Perry from her opening address after submissions by Brand's defence team deemed the matter 'sensitive'. The prosecution also agreed not to mention Brand's past religious interests, prior to his recent conversion to Christianity, or his baptism in the River Thames in 2024 attended by TV presenter Bear Grylls.

Brand and Perry were married in a traditional Hindu ceremony in India in 2010. In recent years, Brand's Christian faith has become central to his podcast and online content, and he was observed praying in the dock during the trial.

How it is being reported

• What the Russell Brand jury didn't hear: Katy Perry and details of his addiction were kept out of trialProsecutors had initially sought to refer to the Teenage Dream singer when opening their case against the former comedianEvening Standard · 5 Nov, 16:07
• From Katy Perry to drug addiction: What the Russell Brand rape trial jury didn't hearThe matters were deemed to be ‘sensitive’ and were removed from the prosecutor’s speechThe Independent · 5 Nov, 15:07

In this story: Russell Brand · Katy Perry · Southwark Crown Court · Bear Grylls

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