Russell Brand Convicted of Rape, Sexual Assault

A London jury convicted Russell Brand of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault over allegations involving six women between 1999 and 2009, and acquitted him of two other rape charges and attempted indecent assault. The rape conviction concerned a woman who said Brand ignored her refusal during an encounter in 2009; the other convictions involved assaults on three women, including media workers. Brand denied the charges and said he had never engaged in non-consensual sexual activity; police interview footage released during the investigation shows him maintaining that position. He was remanded in custody after a judge denied bail, warning that a significant prison term was inevitable at sentencing on Monday. Police said investigations into two further rape allegations involving two women are continuing and urged other potential complainants to come forward.