Russell Brand is facing a potentially lengthy prison sentence after being convicted of raping one woman and sexually assaulting three others.
The 51-year-old comedian and actor closed his eyes as jurors found him guilty of raping a 21-year-old fan he met after a 2009 performance at the Hammersmith Apollo.
During the trial, the women described how Brand allegedly pressured or forced them into sexual activity—sometimes within moments of meeting him—as he pursued his stated ambition of having sex with 5,000 women.
After deliberating for eight and a half hours, jurors convicted Brand of groping an MTV employee at a Soho bar in 2004. They cleared him of orally raping the woman in a toilet afterward.
The jury also found Brand, who has described himself as a born-again Christian, guilty of sexually assaulting a Capital Radio employee after encountering her in a corridor in 2005.
At Southwark Crown Court on Thursday, he was additionally convicted of sexually assaulting a Channel 4 employee during a forced massage in 2009.
Brand was acquitted of two further rape charges and one count of attempted indecent assault.
It can now be reported that Brand has also been accused of raping two other women, including a 16-year-old schoolgirl, and could face additional criminal charges.
His wife, Laura Gallacher, who supported him throughout the trial, was seen crying and holding hands with an aide in the public gallery.
Before the verdicts were delivered, Brand looked toward his wife and said: ‘Laura, I love you.’ He was remanded in custody and will be sentenced on Monday at Southwark Crown Court.
Brand is the latest former BBC presenter to be convicted of serious sexual offences, following figures including Jimmy Savile, Rolf Harris and Stuart Hall.
The BBC had received more than a dozen sexual misconduct complaints relating to Brand’s time as a Radio 2 DJ between 2005 and 2008.
Russell Brand, 51, pictured outside Southwark Crown Court with his wife Laura, is facing prison after being convicted of raping a fan and sexually assaulting three women
Brand sits with his Bible during a police interview in July 2025
A tearful Laura Gallacher leaves court after her husband was remanded in custody
Prosecutors said Brand preyed on women he met as he rose to become one of Britain’s best-known comedians, television and radio hosts, and Hollywood actors.
The month-long trial at Southwark Crown Court ended with Brand being cleared of two rape charges and one count of attempted indecent assault.
Brand denied all the allegations. After the guilty verdicts, the judge warned that he was facing a prison sentence.
Mr Justice Bennathan said: ‘You have been convicted of a number of offences, including rape.’
‘The consequence of that is inevitably a significant custodial term. My current view is that I therefore have to remand you into custody.’
Laura Gallacher appeared to hunch forward when the judge said Brand would receive a custodial sentence.
She lowered her head when the first guilty verdict was announced.
For the remainder of the hearing, she appeared to grip her chair while facing toward the judge.
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Following Brand’s conviction, it can now be reported that the Crown Prosecution Service is considering charges connected to a 16-year-old girl whom he is accused of sexually assaulting after grooming her when he was 30.
Known by the pseudonym ‘Alice’ in the Channel 4 Dispatches programme that first reported allegations against Brand in 2023, the woman said a BBC car took her from school to the star’s home, where she was later abused.
She said that during their three-month relationship Brand called her ‘my little dolly’ and that she punched him to stop an alleged attempted oral rape.
Legal arguments not heard by the jury revealed that Brand faces ‘outstanding charges’ linked to the allegations.
Brand’s wife cried before his conviction; he told her he loved her as he entered the dock
Brand, pictured during a 2023 police interview, was accused of preying on women as he became a prominent comedian, broadcaster and Hollywood actor
The Mail can also report that at least two other women accused Brand of sexual abuse before the trial, although prosecutors limited the case to six complainants.
Prosecutors are now considering whether to bring further charges, potentially leading to a second trial.
Detectives believe the conviction could prove a ‘watershed moment’ by encouraging more women to come forward.
Brand is also facing civil claims in Britain and the United States.
A High Court claim by a woman seeking £100,000 in damages for alleged personal injury and sexual abuse has been put on hold until the criminal proceedings conclude.
The claimant, identified in court documents only as AGX, alleges that Brand forced himself on her at his Los Angeles mansion in 2008, when she was 23.
She claims she fled the property half-dressed after Brand pushed her onto a bed and attempted to perform sexual acts without her consent.
A separate lawsuit has been filed in New York by an extra from the 2010 romantic comedy Arthur. She alleges that Brand exposed himself to cast members before sexually assaulting her in a bathroom on set.
None of the women involved in the criminal case has submitted a compensation claim, but the verdict could allow them and other potential claimants to pursue civil action against Brand.
Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy described the conviction as a possible ‘watershed moment’.
He said: ‘Today’s verdict is first and foremost a testament to the extraordinary courage, resilience and determination of the women who came forward and reported what happened to them. 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.’
‘Brand used his influence, status and fame to prey on and exploit women. As his profile grew, so did his sense of entitlement. I hope this conviction sends a clear message that no one is above the law, regardless of how famous or powerful they may be.’
David Roberts, senior crown prosecutor in the London Rape and Serious Sexual Assault Unit, said: ‘Russell Brand was predatory and used his celebrity status to commit sexual crimes. He was a manipulator with an insatiable desire to get what he wanted, regardless of whether consent had been given.’
‘As his career took off, he seized opportunities to assault women around him. Although his methods varied, each assault involved an abuse of power and sexual greed, along with complete disregard for the consequences of his actions.’
‘I would like to thank all the women in this case for their courage in coming forward and seeing this sexual abuser brought to justice.’
This is a breaking news story. More updates will follow.