Russell Brand’s Instagram account was removed by Meta following his conviction for rape and sexual assault, while his X profile with 10 million followers remains active.
The British comedian was sentenced on Monday to 10 years and six months in prison after a jury convicted him of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault. Brand posted on X on Wednesday that his Instagram profile had been taken down. A Meta spokesperson confirmed the account violated company policies.
“We disabled your account. Our technology found your account, or your activity on it, doesn’t follow our rules,” read a screenshot posted by Brand from his removed Instagram profile page. Another message on the screenshot stated, “We suspended your page. This is because Russell Brand goes against our community standards.”
Meta disabled Russell Brand’s Instagram and Facebook accounts after his November 2026 conviction for rape and three counts of sexual assault, plus a 10.5-year sentence. Their rules explicitly bar convicted sex offenders from the platforms. Private companies enforce their own…
Brand remains active on X, where he posted on Wednesday, “There never was a Russell Brand, according to @Meta. Thank God for @elonmusk. Stay tuned.”
Judge Bennathan Calls Brand a Sexual Predator
Judge Joel Bennathan opened his sentencing remarks at London’s Southwark Crown Court on Monday by addressing the former television and comedy star directly. According to CNN, the judge told the court that Brand had become a sexual predator as he rose to fame two decades ago.
“About 20 years ago, Russell Brand, you were becoming famous. You were clever and, in many people’s eyes, funny and charismatic. You had also become a sexual predator,” Judge Bennathan said, as noted by Variety.
The judge added, “Whatever women wear, wherever they go, indeed whatever they drink, they retain the right to say no and to demand justice from the criminal courts when sexual predators like you, Russell Brand, act without their consent,” as reported by CNN.
CNN reported that Brand did not show emotion when the sentence was delivered. He told his wife Laura Gallacher “we’ll be OK” before being taken away. During the trial, Brand held a crucifix and appeared to be praying.
😳 Exclusive: Meta takes down Russell Brand's Instagram after r*pe conviction. https://t.co/8o8RAe8lU3 pic.twitter.com/aJXqrkE4wN
The convictions stem from offenses committed as Brand rose to fame in the 2000s, including raping a 21-year-old woman in 2009 and assaulting three other women. CNN said that Brand was acquitted of two additional counts of rape and one count of attempted indecent assault. In addition to his prison term, his name will be on the sex offenders’ register for life.
Victims Describe the Toll of Sexual Abuse
Victims detailed the toll of the abuse during court proceedings on Monday. A woman sexually assaulted at a central London bar in 2004 delivered her statement behind a protective curtain, describing her “complete shock and turmoil,” according to CNN.
“For many years as his star was rising it was impossible to escape seeing him all over the media, being celebrated for his disgusting behavior against women like it was all a joke,” she told CNN.
Another victim, who was assaulted at her workplace in 2005, wrote in a statement read in court that the comedian was “a sexual predator who has no remorse for how his behavior has impacted my life,” as reported by CNN.
London’s Metropolitan Police said that Brand is being investigated regarding further allegations of rape from two additional women. The criminal charges followed a 2023 investigation by three British media outlets—The Times, The Sunday Times, and Channel 4—which prompted multiple women to come forward with allegations of sexual misconduct. YouTube suspended monetization of Brand’s channel in 2023.
