Russell Brand has been convicted of four sexual offences following a major Metropolitan Police investigation.
Detectives gathered evidence from more than 100 witnesses and reviewed thousands of documents as part of the investigation, according to a statement by the Met Police on Thursday.
Officers praised the women who reported Mr Brand for their courage, resilience and determination, while encouraging any other potential victims who have not yet spoken to police to come forward.
After a four-week trial at Southwark Crown Court, a jury unanimously found Mr Brand, 51, of Oxfordshire, guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault.
He will be sentenced on Monday.
Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy, from the Metropolitan Police Service, said, “Today’s verdict is first and foremost a testament to the extraordinary courage, resilience and determination of the women who came forward and reported what happened to them. Despite intense media and public scrutiny, they relived deeply personal and traumatic experiences and placed their trust in us. Without their bravery, this outcome would not have been possible.
“Brand used his influence, status and fame to exploit and sexually offend against women. As his profile grew, so too did his sense of entitlement. I hope this conviction sends a clear message that no one is above the law, no matter how famous or powerful they may be.
“Finally, I would urge anyone who may have been a victim of rape or serious sexual assault to speak to us. You will be listened to, supported and treated with dignity and respect.”
The Met began investigating after allegations involving Mr Brand were reported by Channel 4’s Dispatches, The Times and The Sunday Times in September 2023.
Anticipating that potential victims might come forward, detectives quickly established a dedicated investigation team to assess reports and provide support. Officers were subsequently contacted by a number of women who were not known to each other.
The non-recent nature of the reports presented challenges. There was no CCTV or forensic evidence available, while digital enquiries were limited by the passage of time. Instead, detectives worked to piece together the circumstances surrounding each allegation, carefully identifying evidence that could support and verify the accounts provided by the women.
Detectives traced and spoke to more than 100 witnesses, took more than 400 witness statements and reviewed over 1,400 documents. They also established detailed timelines and obtained historical floor plans and photographs of locations linked to the reports, including a former address of Brand and a former workplace. This formed part of an extensive investigation involving hundreds of lines of enquiry.
Officers also worked in partnership with the Crown Prosecution Service throughout the investigation and trial, helping to build the strongest case possible to put before the jury.
During four separate police interviews, Mr Brand was provided with detailed accounts of the allegations but repeatedly claimed he did not recognise the women involved. Detectives spent significant time testing those assertions against the evidence. As the case approached trial, Mr Brand’s account changed, prompting prosecuting counsel to describe his recollection as “selective memory”.
The investigation team also reviewed hundreds of hours of Mr Brand’s stand-up performances, television appearances, interviews and podcasts. They also read all of Mr Brand’s books. This work helped investigators establish key timelines, test witness accounts and identify inconsistencies in the explanations Brand gave during police interviews.
Mr Brand’s offending was between 2004 and 2009 and included one rape and three sexual assaults committed against four women. The offences took place in different locations, including a radio station, the set of a DVD recording and Mr Brand’s home address.
