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Jury convicts Russell Brand of rape and sexual assault in London

The actor and comedian was convicted of one count of rape and three of sexual assault, remanded in custody, and will be sentenced Monday, Nov. 9.

17 news outlets reported this
Liberal9 outletsthe verdict, the accusers and the trial testimonyCenter4 outletsthe conviction and police statements, including ongoing investigationConservative4 outletsconviction, custody and the defense's courtroom arguments
Published 3 min read
Overview

Russell Brand, the 51-year-old actor and comedian, was convicted on Thursday at Southwark Crown Court in London. The jury found him guilty on one rape count and three sexual assault counts. It cleared him on two other rape counts and a charge of attempted indecent assault.

Six women made the allegations, which cover the years 1999 to 2009. The jury of eight men and four women deliberated for more than eight hours over two days. Judge Joel Bennathan told Brand that a "significant custodial term" is inevitable and remanded him into custody.

Sentencing is set for Monday, Nov. 9. At trial, a prosecutor called Brand a "sexual predator." Brand denied the charges.

He testified that he was obsessed with sex when young but never forced anyone against their will. His lawyers argued that the accusers went to police only years later, after a 2023 documentary carrying anonymous allegations. Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy of the Metropolitan Police said the verdict was a testament to the women's courage.

The Met said its investigation into other rape allegations made by two women is ongoing and files have been sent to the Crown Prosecution Service.

Key figures
  • one count of rape conviction count for rape — Newsweek
  • three counts of sexual assault conviction counts for sexual assault — Newsweek
  • eight men and four women makeup of the jury — The Seattle Times
  • more than eight hours over two days jury deliberation time — The Seattle Times
  • Monday, 9 Nov date set for sentencing — Yahoo News

Three sides of the story

Liberal9 outlets

the verdict, the accusers and the trial testimony

CBS News opens with the verdict and Judge Joel Bennathan's statement that Brand will be sentenced to prison. It reports convictions over a 2009 rape and sexual assaults on three other women, quotes the judge via its partner BBC, and quotes Brand's testimony that "consent is absolutely non-negotiable." Yahoo News gives the sentencing date, Monday, Nov. 9, and Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy's tribute to the women's "courage, resilience and determination."

MS NOW dwells on the trial, with graphic testimony from the accusers, prosecutor Riel Karmy-Jones saying the women had no benefit from coming forward "apart from perhaps some closure," and defense lawyer Ian Winter saying "It is not criminal to treat women unkindly before, during or after sex." It also recalls Brand's April interview, in which he admitted sex with a 16-year-old when he was "an immature 30-year-old." The Boston Globe runs the AP wire report, which adds Brand's career, his move to Florida and his online following.

Center4 outlets

the conviction and police statements, including ongoing investigation

The Seattle Times runs the AP wire report: Brand convicted on allegations dating back more than 20 years, Bennathan saying he faces a "significant" prison term, and Brand, who had been free on bail, taken into custody. It carries Furphy's statement that Brand used his influence, status and fame against women. Newsweek, headlined "Russell Brand Found Guilty of Rape," quotes the judge at length and adds a Met Police spokesperson saying the investigation into rape allegations made by two women "remains ongoing," with files submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service.

Straight Arrow News reports the seven charges Brand faced, and NewsNation leads with the prosecutor's description of Brand as a "sexual predator." Newsweek and the AP text both give Brand's denial of the charges.

Conservative4 outlets

conviction, custody and the defense's courtroom arguments

The New York Post leads with Brand convicted and "taken into custody facing life in prison," saying he faces up to life at sentencing. It lists the settings of the alleged assaults, from a hotel room to a radio station, and quotes defense lawyer Ian Winter saying the "well of justice had been corrupted and contaminated" by a 2023 documentary. It also quotes Winter on Brand's sex life: "Disgusting, distasteful, immoral, who cares?"

The Daily Caller, citing City News for the counts, reports Brand "immediately remanded in custody" and sentencing set for Nov. 9. The Post Millennial's breaking item reports one count of rape and three of sexual assault, with Bennathan telling Brand he would be given a "significant custodial term." The Washington Times reports that a British jury convicted him of rape and sexual assault over incidents more than 20 years old.

Where outlets disagree
  • Counts on which Brand was convicted
    • New York Post: guilty on three rape counts, three sexual assault counts and one attempted indecent assault count
    • Newsweek: guilty on a single rape count plus three sexual assault counts
  • Length of the trial
All sources: 17 articles from 17 outlets

Liberal (9)

Center (4)

Conservative (4)

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