Russell Brand has been convicted of rape and sexual assault following a four-week trial at Southwark Crown Court in London. The jury found the 51-year-old British comedian and actor guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault. He was acquitted of two further rape charges and one count of attempted indecent assault.

The jury of eight men and four women deliberated for more than eight hours over two days before returning its verdicts.

Judge Joel Bennathan told Brand to expect "a significant custodial term" and rejected a bail application on the grounds that he might flee. Brand was taken into custody immediately after the verdict and will return to the same court on Monday for sentencing. The judge acknowledged the impact on Brand's children, saying: "I regret the hardship caused to the children, of course. But the hardship has been caused by serious criminal offending by their father."

The charges covered incidents involving six women between 1999 and 2009, the years in which Brand rose from performing stand-up comedy in small venues to becoming one of Britain's most prominent television presenters and a Hollywood film star.

Brand was convicted of anally raping a fan he met backstage at one of his comedy shows in 2009. The woman told the court that during what had begun as consensual sex at his home, he had raped her and afterwards told her to clean up the blood and mess. He was also convicted of sexually assaulting a woman at a London bar in 2004, after approaching her at a party and grabbing her breasts. A third conviction related to a woman working on a promotional project in 2009, whom Brand demanded give him a massage before pressing his face into her groin in front of colleagues. The fourth conviction was for sexually assaulting a woman who worked at a radio station in 2004 or 2005, an assault that took place in front of his entourage.

He was acquitted of raping a woman in a hotel room during the Labour Party's annual conference in Bournemouth in 1999, and of attempting to indecently assault a woman at the London offices of a music channel.

Prosecutors described Brand as a "ruthless, calculating, manipulative sexual predator." Senior crown prosecutor David Roberts said Brand was "a manipulator with an insatiable desire to get what he wanted regardless of whether consent was given or not." He added: "As his career took off, he seized opportunities to assault the women around him. Although his tactics varied, at the centre of every assault was an abuse of power and sexual greed, with a complete disregard for the impact of his actions."

Brand showed little emotion as the verdicts were delivered, though he closed his eyes as the guilty verdict on the rape count was read. He told his wife Laura "I love you" after entering the dock. When bail was denied, he gestured to his lawyers and repeatedly said "I'm good, I'm good, I'm good" before being taken away.

In his evidence during the trial, Brand admitted using his fame to "facilitate sexual access" and described himself as having been "obsessed" with sex and "extremely promiscuous." He said he had "dedicated a lot of my life to what seems now beyond reckless, philandering, and idiocy." He insisted, however, that all sexual activity had been consensual and denied all charges. His barrister told jurors that Brand "had an immense amount of sex," but that "none of it was unlawful."

Brand also testified that the case had consumed his life. "My entire life has been consumed by these events, these allegations, these accusations," he said. His wife Laura appeared in court as a character witness for the defence.

Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy of the Metropolitan Police paid tribute to the complainants after the verdict. "Despite intense media and public scrutiny, they relived deeply personal and traumatic experiences and placed their trust in us. Without their bravery, this outcome would not have been possible," he said. "Brand used his influence, status and fame to exploit and sexually offend against women. As his profile grew, so too did his sense of entitlement." He added: "I hope this conviction sends a clear message that no one is above the law, no matter how famous or powerful they may be."

It can now be reported that Brand is also facing further rape allegations made by two additional women. The Metropolitan Police said its investigation "remains ongoing."

All six complainants are entitled to lifelong anonymity under British law. None of the women knew each other. All came forward to police following a television documentary and press reports published in September 2023 containing anonymous allegations against Brand, which he strongly denied at the time.

Brand first rose to fame as a stand-up comedian before becoming a household name as a television presenter and radio host. He went on to establish a Hollywood career, appearing in films including Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Get Him to the Greek. He was married to pop star Katy Perry from 2010 to 2012. In recent years he had relocated to Florida and built a large online following, mixing wellness content, political commentary and discussions of his religious beliefs.

Ron Brand, Russell's father, told a broadcaster he was "bemused and shocked" by the verdicts. "I just didn't expect this - it's wrong... it's devastating," he said.