Russell Brand convicted of rape and sexual assault in London court

Comedian and actor Russell Brand has been found guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault following a trial at Southwark Crown Court in London, according to the Irish Examiner, CBS News, ABC News Australia and the Guardian. The 51-year-old was acquitted of two other rape charges and one count of attempted indecent assault, ABC News Australia and CBS News reported. The New York Post reported that Brand was taken into custody after the verdicts were delivered. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][9][10][11]

ABC News Australia reported that the jury deliberated for eight and a half hours following a three-and-a-half week trial, as noted by the Guardian. The charges related to allegations involving female complainants spanning a 10-year period between 1999 and 2009, according to CBS News and ABC News Australia, while the Guardian reported the offences occurred over five years of his career. As FTMQ News reported earlier, Brand faced seven counts involving six women and denied all the charges, stating his sexual encounters were consensual. [2][3][4][14][15]

Brand committed the offences while building his career as a stand-up comedian, television and radio host, and movie star, the Irish Examiner reported. Brand initially rose to prominence in the United Kingdom as the host of Big Brother's Big Mouth. He was born on 4 June 1975 in Grays, Essex, England. [1][12][13]

Following the guilty verdicts, Judge Joel Bennathan stated that Brand will face a significant prison sentence, ABC News Australia and the Guardian reported. CBS News also reported that Judge Bennathan confirmed Brand will be sentenced to prison. [1][2][3][4]