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Met Police boss 'wouldn't be surprised' if more allegations made about Brand

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In short

Russell Brand was convicted at Southwark Crown Court of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault, though he was acquitted of three other charges. Following the trial, which examined incidents between 1999 and 2009 involving six women, Brand was denied bail ahead of his sentencing. Metropolitan Police chief Sir Mark Rowley disclosed that investigators are already actively pursuing two other ongoing rape inquiries concerning the entertainer. Police leaders praised the courage of the victims who testified and reiterated their commitment to prosecuting powerful offenders.

Key points

  • The presiding judge denied Brand bail and warned him to anticipate a significant prison t…: The presiding judge denied Brand bail and warned him to anticipate a significant prison term during sentencing.
  • Police leadership expressed hope that the guilty verdicts would encourage additional vict…: Police leadership expressed hope that the guilty verdicts would encourage additional victims of sexual abuse to step forward.
  • Sir Mark Rowley endorsed legal reforms requiring trial judges to give mandatory jury dire…: Sir Mark Rowley endorsed legal reforms requiring trial judges to give mandatory jury directions to counter prevailing rape myths.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

- Published

The head of the Metropolitan Police has said he "wouldn't be surprised" if more people came forward to make allegations about Russell Brand.

Sir Mark Rowley also said that what he heard reported from Brand's trial at Southwark Crown Court came very close to "victim blaming".

On Thursday, the entertainer and comedian was found guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault.

He was acquitted of two other rape charges and one allegation of attempted indecent assault. The 51-year-old will be sentenced on Monday.

Speaking to the BBC on Friday, Sir Mark said that he "wouldn't be surprised if more people came forward" about Brand and said there were "two ongoing rape investigations" into him.

Brand has already been interviewed under caution in relation to those allegations.

In his interview Sir Mark praised the "bravery" of the women who came forward to tell "their story" to the police and during the trial.

"That's a real challenge for anyone having gone through something so ghastly and you have to admire them."

The head of the…

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