Russell Brand faces 'significant' prison term after rape and sexual assault conviction

Russell Brand has been told by a judge that he faces a "significant custodial term" after being found guilty of rape and sexual assault.

The comedian is due to appear in court on Monday for sentencing after a jury found him guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault.

Brand was cleared of two further counts of rape and one count of attempted indecent assault following a four-week trial at Southwark Crown Court in London.

The judge, Mr Justice Bennathan, refused a bail application from Brand's lawyers and the 51-year-old was taken into custody after the verdicts were delivered.

The Metropolitan Police told Sky News that Brand is under investigation for other allegations of rape made by two women.

A Met spokesperson said Brand has already been questioned about those allegations and that the investigation "remains ongoing".

Brand appeared to show no discernible reaction as the jury's verdicts were read out on Thursday, mouthing "I'm OK" several times to his lawyers and repeating the words: "I'm good, I'm good, I'm good."

Brand's wife, Laura, who attended the trial almost every day, left the courtroom shortly after the verdicts were delivered.

In a statement outside the court, Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy from the Met Police said: "I hope this conviction sends a clear message that no one is above the law, no matter how famous or powerful they may be."

Det Supt Furphy also paid tribute to the "extraordinary courage, resilience and determination of the women who came forward", adding: "They've had to relive deeply personal and traumatic experiences. That took immense courage."

Brand faced allegations from six women

During the trial, Brand faced allegations from six women spanning the years 1999 to 2009, during which time he rose to fame as one of the UK's most high-profile entertainers.

He was found guilty of anally raping a woman at his house in 2009 after meeting her at a show at the Hammersmith Apollo in the same year.

He was convicted of sexually assaulting a woman while she was working on a project for Channel 4 in 2009.

Brand was found guilty of sexually assaulting a Choice FM worker in 2004 or 2005.

He was also convicted of sexual assault in relation to groping a woman in a bar in Soho in 2004, but found not guilty of oral rape.

The jury found Brand not guilty of raping a woman at a hotel in Bournemouth after attending a fringe event at the 1999 Labour Party conference.

He was also cleared of attempted indecent assault relating to a woman who was working at MTV in 2001.

Prosecutors said during the trial that Brand's offending was "wide and varied" and described him as a "sexual predator" who was "ruthless" and "calculated".

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Women showed 'extraordinary courage'

Allegations against Brand first emerged in the media in a 2023 Dispatches investigation by Channel 4, The Times and The Sunday Times.

In a statement released after the verdicts, Channel 4 hailed the "extraordinary courage" of the women involved in the case.

The Times and The Sunday Times also paid tribute to the women, saying their "contributions were vital in bringing these issues to light".

Brand first rose to prominence as a stand-up comedian, becoming a household name as host of TV shows such as Big Brother's Big Mouth.

He also worked on radio programmes on stations including BBC Radio 2 and 6 Music, before embarking on a Hollywood career - starring in films such as Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Get Him To The Greek.

In recent years, Brand has reinvented himself as a podcaster and online social, political and religious commentator.

(c) Sky News 2026: Russell Brand faces 'significant' prison term after rape and sexual assault conviction