Russell Brand has been convicted of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault following a jury trial at Southwark Crown Court in London.
The verdict was delivered Thursday, November 5, 2026, after jurors considered evidence involving six women and alleged offences spanning a decade from 1999 to 2009.
Brand, 51, denied the charges during the trial.
Table of Contents
Russell Brand found guilty on four charges
The jury found Brand guilty of one rape charge and three sexual assault charges.
He had faced seven charges in total, including three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of attempted indecent assault.
The verdict means Brand was acquitted of some of the charges before the court, although the precise legal outcome on each individual count was not immediately detailed in the initial reports from court.
The proceedings were heard by a jury of 12 people at Southwark Crown Court.
Jurors began deliberating on Tuesday, November 3, and continued for more than one day before returning their verdicts.
What the trial was about
The prosecution alleged that Brand used his celebrity status and access to women to commit sexual offences at different locations in London and elsewhere.
The allegations included incidents connected to workplaces, accommodation and social venues during the period when Brand was building his profile as a comedian, actor and broadcaster.
The case followed a Metropolitan Police investigation that began in 2023 after allegations concerning non-recent sexual offences were made public.
In April 2025, the Metropolitan Police said the Crown Prosecution Service had authorised charges against Brand involving alleged offences in 1999, 2001 and the period from 2004 to 2005.
The Crown Prosecution Service later authorised two additional charges relating to allegations from 2009 involving two other women.
Those earlier official announcements stressed that Brand was entitled to a fair trial and that the charges were allegations until determined by the court.
Brand denied the allegations
Brand pleaded not guilty and rejected the prosecution’s case.
His defence argued that the sexual encounters described at trial were consensual and that jurors should distinguish between his past reputation for promiscuity and the specific criminal allegations.
The defence also challenged the reliability and independence of the complainants’ accounts.
Brand gave evidence during the trial and acknowledged that he had behaved badly in some relationships, while denying that he had committed rape or sexual assault.
The jury was directed to decide each charge separately and to convict only if the prosecution had proved the case beyond a reasonable doubt.
What happens next
Brand is expected to face a custodial sentence because of the rape conviction.
Sentencing will be decided by the judge after considering the seriousness of the offences, the circumstances of the case and the impact on the victims.
The judge may also consider any mitigation presented by the defence and whether the convictions should lead to concurrent or consecutive terms.
Under the English and Welsh criminal justice system, the jury decides guilt while the judge determines the sentence in a Crown Court case.
Brand may also seek permission to appeal his convictions or sentence, although an appeal would have to be based on a legal or procedural error rather than simply disagreement with the jury’s decision.
The verdict does not determine any separate allegations or investigations that may involve different complainants or alleged incidents.
Why the case matters
The trial is one of the highest-profile criminal cases involving a British entertainment figure since allegations of sexual misconduct against Brand first emerged publicly in 2023.
It also involved allegations dating back more than two decades, highlighting the challenges investigators and prosecutors face when dealing with reports of non-recent sexual offences.
The Metropolitan Police has previously encouraged anyone who believes they may have been the victim of a sexual offence to contact police, regardless of how much time has passed.
The conviction establishes Brand’s criminal liability for the offences on which the jury found him guilty.
It does not, by itself, establish the truth of allegations that were not charged or were not decided by this jury.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Russell Brand convicted of?
Russell Brand was convicted of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault at Southwark Crown Court.
How many charges did Russell Brand face?
Brand faced seven charges in total, including three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of attempted indecent assault.
When was the Russell Brand verdict delivered?
The verdict was delivered on Thursday, November 5, 2026, at Southwark Crown Court in London.
What happens to Russell Brand after the conviction?
The judge will determine his sentence, and the rape conviction means a custodial sentence is expected.
Can Russell Brand appeal the verdict?
Brand may seek permission to appeal, but an appeal must generally identify a legal or procedural error rather than simply challenge the jury’s assessment of the evidence.
Fact-Checked: Key charging and court-process details were checked against official Metropolitan Police, Crown Prosecution Service and Courts and Tribunals Judiciary information, with the verdict cross-checked against current court reporting.
Disclaimer: This article reports the criminal verdict and does not make findings about allegations that were not charged or decided by the jury.