“Brand used his influence, status and fame to prey on and exploit women,” senior Crown prosecutor David Roberts said in a statement after British comedian and actor Russell Brand was convicted in a London court on Thursday of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault.
Following a four-week trial at Southwark Crown Court where a jury deliberated for more than eight hours over two days, the prosecution agreed to omit mention of Katy Perry from its opening argument, Deadline reported. Two of the offenses Brand was convicted of took place in 2009, a year before Brand and Perry married. In legal submissions before the trial began, prosecution barrister Riel Karmy-Jones noted that matters post-2009 involving his relationship with Katy Perry might be sensitive, leading the prosecution to remove references to the singer from its opening.
The Trial Verdict at Southwark Crown Court
- Russell Brand was found guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault involving four women, while being acquitted of two rape counts and one count of attempted indecent assault.
- The Crown Prosecution Service confirmed that Perry was not approached for a witness statement, with senior Crown prosecutor David Roberts stating that all reasonable lines of inquiry relevant to the specific charges were covered.
- Judge Mr Justice Bennathan remanded Brand in custody, stating that he would face a custodial sentence of some length when sentenced on Monday.
The UK’s Crown Prosecution Service confirmed that Perry was not asked for a witness statement during the police investigation into Brand. Perry was only referenced once during the four-week court proceedings when Brand gave evidence to the jury, stating that his relationship with the singer helped propel him to staggering fame.
Reactions from Bear Grylls and Public Figures
Adventurer and TV host Bear Grylls spoke out about the conviction after he helped baptize Brand in 2024, less than a year after initial allegations were exposed in the Sunday Times and Channel 4’s In Plain Sight docuseries. In a post on X, Grylls wrote that Brand’s faith seemed genuine at the time of his private baptism in the River Thames, adding that judgment is for the courts and God, but affirming that it is right justice has now been served.
Brand’s wife, Laura, accompanied him to court and testified as a character witness in his defense. Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Police announced that detectives remain in close contact with prosecutors and are currently investigating further rape allegations made by two other women.
