A UK jury has found Russell Brand guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault, following two days of deliberations. He was acquitted of attempted indecent assault and two additional rape charges. The case involved accusations from six women, with incidents dated to 2004, 2005 and 2009.
The rape conviction stems from a 2009 incident in which Brand allegedly removed his condom without consent, a practice often called stealthing. The 51-year-old rose to fame as a standup comedian and actor in films like“Forgetting Sarah Marshall”and“Get Him to the Greek,”before publicly converting to Christianity in 2024 and publishing a book about his faith. That rebrand has fueled much of the public debate around the verdict.
Beyond the celebrity angle, the case spotlights UK sexual assault prosecutions and the ongoing conversation about consent. Six women testified. A jury weighed the evidence. What happens next in sentencing, and how fans and the media respond, will shape the story for weeks.
What do you think this verdict says about celebrity accountability? Sound off in the comments.
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Local Lawton
Local Lawton is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.