A jury at Southwark Crown Court in London found Russell Brand guilty on Thursday of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault, delivering a verdict that caps a trial stretching back more than two years since the comedian and actor first faced the allegations publicly. Brand, 51, was acquitted on two further counts of rape and one count of attempted indecent assault, according to Al Jazeera's courtroom reporting.

The jury reached its split verdict after deliberating for eight and a half hours. The charges stemmed from allegations by six women who told the court Brand sexually offended against them between 1999 and 2009, during the years he was rising from British shock-jock radio host to Hollywood leading man. Brand testified in his own defense during the trial, insisting every encounter described in court was consensual.

Judge Joel Bennathan revoked Brand's bail immediately after the verdict was read, telling the courtroom that the rape conviction would "inevitably" mean a significant custodial sentence. Brand will remain in custody until he is formally sentenced on Monday, per NBC News.

A years-long case reaches its end

Brand was first publicly accused in a 2023 joint investigation by The Sunday Times, The Times and Channel 4's Dispatches, which prompted a Metropolitan Police investigation and his eventual arrest. He had pleaded not guilty to all charges when the case went to trial this fall, with proceedings expected to run as long as six weeks.

During the trial, prosecutors argued Brand's version of events amounted to "a lot of half-truths, spun into lies," a characterization his defense team rejected outright. Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy of London's Metropolitan Police said after the verdict that Brand had "used his influence, status and fame to exploit and sexually offend against women."

"USED HIS INFLUENCE, STATUS AND FAME TO EXPLOIT AND SEXUALLY OFFEND AGAINST WOMEN"

Brand's legal team has not indicated whether it will appeal. His representatives did not immediately issue a statement following the verdict.

Brand built a career spanning stand-up comedy, radio hosting, and starring roles in films including "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" and "Get Him to the Greek" before pivoting in recent years to a web-based commentary and wellness persona with millions of online followers. That online following has largely stood by him throughout the proceedings, even as mainstream entertainment outlets distanced themselves from him following the initial 2023 allegations.

Sentencing is set for Monday, when the court will hear further testimony before Bennathan determines Brand's prison term. British sentencing guidelines for rape convictions typically carry substantial minimum terms, meaning Brand is expected to face years behind bars.