British comedian and actor Russell Brand was found guilty of rape and sexual assault in a London court on Thursday. The 51-year-old entertainer, who was once one of the UK’s most prominent broadcasters, had consistently denied the allegations. He argued that the incidents in question were either consensual or had been reinvented by the accusers over time.

Brand stood trial on seven counts: three for rape, three for sexual assault, and one for attempted indecent assault. The jury ultimately returned guilty verdicts on one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault. He was acquitted of the remaining charges, including two counts of rape and the attempted indecent assault count.

Justice Joel Bennathan addressed Brand in court, informing him that the verdicts would likely result in a significant custodial term. The judge noted that Brand would have to remain in custody until his formal sentencing, which is scheduled for Monday. Under British sentencing guidelines, the maximum penalty for rape is life imprisonment, while sexual assault carries a maximum sentence of ten years.

The accusations trace back to the peak of Brand’s career as a stand-up comedian and television presenter. During this period, he also hosted a popular BBC radio show and wrote best-selling biographies detailing his struggles with drug and alcohol addiction. His fame expanded globally when he appeared in Hollywood films such as Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Get Him to the Greek. His profile grew further after his brief marriage to pop star Katy Perry in 2010, a union that ended in divorce in 2012.

In recent years, Brand moved away from mainstream media, relocating to Florida where he built a large online following. His digital content often discusses U.S. politics, wellness, conspiracy theories, and his Christian faith. The four-week trial at Southwark Crown Court saw prosecutors describe Brand as ruthless and a sexual predator. Prosecutor Riel Karmy-Jones told the jury that Brand possessed an indiscriminate desire for sexual contact, treating women as a means to an end.

The guilty verdicts relate to specific incidents spanning several years. Brand was found guilty of raping a woman in 2009 at his home after she met him at one of his shows. He was also convicted of sexually assaulting a woman at a party in 2004 by grabbing her breasts, and another woman at a London radio station around 2004 or 2005. A third sexual assault conviction involved an incident during an advertisement recording in 2009, where he pressed his face into the victim's groin.

Prosecutors stated that the four women did not know each other. They came forward separately to police after a television documentary about the allegations was broadcast in Britain in 2023. During his testimony last week, Brand admitted to being obsessed with sex during his years of fame. He described himself as persuasive and seductive, acknowledging that he had used his status to facilitate sexual access, which he now agreed was wrong.

Brand’s wife, Laura Gallacher, also testified, describing him as a caring and wonderful father to their three young children. The couple married in 2017 and have shared videos online analyzing Bible verses and discussing their trial experiences. In a statement following the verdict, Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy of London’s Metropolitan Police said Brand used his influence and fame to exploit women. Furphy praised the victims for their extraordinary courage in reliving traumatic experiences under intense media scrutiny.

Detective Superintendent Furphy added that as Brand’s profile grew, so did his sense of entitlement. He noted that without the bravery of the victims, this outcome would not have been possible. Brand has been posting videos online with his wife, where they discuss their experiences and faith. Prior to the trial, he had told reporters he felt blessed and hopeful that the process would lead to good outcomes for everyone involved.