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Russell Brand is convicted of rape, and judge says he'll get a prison term

By · Via NPR · Published by Everything Blog

In short

British comedian Russell Brand was found guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault involving four women, while being cleared of two additional rape charges and one count of attempted indecent assault. Brand had denied all accusations on the stand, admitting to a promiscuous past while insisting all sexual encounters were entirely consensual. Metropolitan Police officials commended the victims for coming forward, noting that the defendant had exploited his public status and influence. He will remain detained until his formal sentencing proceedings take place on Monday.

Key points

  • The conviction concludes a legal process that examined allegations against the high-profi…: The conviction concludes a legal process that examined allegations against the high-profile entertainer dating back more than two decades.
  • Metropolitan Police investigators emphasized that the defendant actively used his celebri…: Metropolitan Police investigators emphasized that the defendant actively used his celebrity status and influence to sexually exploit his victims.
  • Brand's defense argued that his accusers only approached law enforcement years later foll…: Brand's defense argued that his accusers only approached law enforcement years later following the broadcast of a 2023 documentary.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

London — Russell Brand was convicted Thursday of rape and sexual assault charges involving four women on allegations dating back more than 20 years.

Judge Joel Bennathan said the British actor-comedian faces a "significant" prison term when he is sentenced Monday. Brand had been free, but the judge rejected a bail request because of the possibility he might flee and he was taken into custody.

"I regret the hardship caused to the children, of course," the judge said. "But the hardship has been caused by serious criminal offending by their father."

Brand was a ruthless, calculating, manipulative "sexual predator," prosecutor Riel Karmy-Jones said at trial.

Brand, 51, denied the charges and testified that he was obsessed with sex as a young man and once led a promiscuous life but had never forced anyone to do something against their will.

He was convicted of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault. He was acquitted of two rape counts and one count of attempted indecent assault.

Brand closed his eyes as the guilty verdict on the rape count was…

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