British actor and comedian Russell Brand is facing a lengthy prison sentence after being convicted of rape and three counts of sexual assault at Southwark Crown Court in London.
The 51-year-old was found guilty on Thursday of raping a young fan in 2009 after meeting her at one of his comedy shows in west London.
Brand was also convicted of sexually assaulting three other women. The offences included groping an MTV employee at a bar in central London in 2004, kissing and groping a woman at her workplace in 2005, and sexually assaulting another woman in 2009 after forcing her to give him a massage.
However, the comedian was cleared of two additional rape charges and one count of attempted indecent assault. The jury, made up of eight men and four women, reached its verdicts after approximately eight and a half hours of deliberations.
Following the verdict, Judge Joel Bennathan praised the preparation of the case, describing it as “very well prepared”, according to the Press Association. Sentencing has been scheduled for Monday.
Brand, who remained standing in the dock as the verdicts were delivered, closed his eyes when he heard he had been found guilty of rape. He has since been remanded in custody.
Addressing the likely punishment, Judge Bennathan said the conviction would inevitably result in a “significant custodial term”.
Following the outcome, the Metropolitan Police Service said Brand had used his influence, status and celebrity profile to exploit and sexually offend against women.
Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy said Brand's growing public profile had been accompanied by what he described as an increasing sense of entitlement.
He added that he hoped the conviction would send a clear message that nobody is above the law, regardless of their fame, influence or position in society.
