Jury convicts entertainer Russell Brand of rape and sexual assault

A jury at Southwark Crown Court in London has convicted entertainer Russell Brand of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault. BBC News, Deadline, The Hollywood Reporter, the Financial Times, and Al Jazeera all reported the verdict on 5 November 2026. The jury found Brand not guilty of two other counts of rape and one count of attempted indecent assault, according to BBC News and Deadline. BBC News reported that Brand was taken into custody after being refused bail, and he was told to expect a length prison sentence. [1][2][4][5][10][11]

The trial lasted for one month, according to Deadline and The Hollywood Reporter. BBC News reported that the jury deliberated for eight and a half hours, while Deadline reported that deliberations lasted two days. BBC News also reported that Brand faces further rape allegations from two women, and that he is scheduled to be sentenced on Monday. [1][2][4][5][6]

Following the verdict, Brand's defense lawyer, Ian Winter KC, confronted Sunday Times journalist Rosamund Urwin outside the courthouse, according to Deadline. Deadline reported that Winter said to Urwin, "I hope you're pleased with yourself." Urwin had helped bring the initial allegations against Brand to public attention. [3]

Brand is an English comedian, actor, and media personality who was born on 4 June 1975 in Grays, Essex. The British television industry and media sector covered the proceedings heavily, with Deadline reporting that the trial represented the first major me too court case for the UK television industry. [5][6][12][13]