Russell Brand convicted of rape and sexual assault

Summarised from 2 outlets · 3 reports · Updated 5 Nov, 16:22 · Archive

Russell Brand has been found guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault.

Russell Brand, aged 51, has been found guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault at Southwark Crown Court. The women who came forward accused him of raping, forcibly kissing and groping them during his showbiz career. They went to police after the Times, Sunday Times and Channel 4's Dispatches exposed allegations against him in 2023.

Before trial, Brand's barrister Ian Winter KC argued that the media reporting had so damaged Brand's reputation that a fair trial was impossible. He claimed Brand had suffered more prejudice than serial killer Rose West and hate preacher Abu Hamza. The judge, Mr Justice Bennathan, dismissed this application, ruling simply that the jury could be composed of people who had not seen the 2023 coverage. The judge also noted that Brand had performed a sell-out show at Wembley after being accused, suggesting his reputation remained intact.

Following the conviction, Winter launched a verbal tirade at Sunday Times journalist Rosamund Urwin, whose reporting had prompted the criminal investigation, telling her 'you f***ed it' as he left the courtroom.

How it is being reported

• Russell Brand a 'shadow of his persona' in police interview after rape convictionWARNING: DISTRESSING CONTENT The Metropolitan Police has released five videos of Russell Brand being interviewed over allegations of rape and sexual assaultDaily Record · 5 Nov, 16:25
• "You f****d it!" Russell Brand's lawyer launches foul-mouthed tirade at journalistIan Winter KC took a swipe at Rosamund Urwin, of the Sunday Times, as he was leaving the courtroom following Brand's rape conviction.Daily Record · 5 Nov, 15:44
• Russell Brand tried to have trial thrown out as he branded journalists ‘criminals’RUSSELL Brand tried to smear journalists as “criminals” and claimed women accusing him of abuse were “fictional” in a doomed bid to avoid standing trial, it can now be revealedThe National · 5 Nov, 15:01

In this story: Russell Brand · Ian Winter KC · Rosamund Urwin · Mr Justice Bennathan · Sunday Times · Southwark Crown Court · Wembley

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log