Actor Russell Brand found guilty of sexual offenses

In total, Brand was accused on seven counts of crimes against six women. According to the indictment, they occurred between 1999 and 2009, when the actor was actively building a career in British show business.

Police attention to Brand was drawn by a journalistic investigation conducted in 2023 by The Times and Sunday Times newspapers jointly with Channel 4 television.

During the announcement of the verdict, the judge stated that a guilty verdict on a number of crimes, including rape, means the inevitability of a lengthy prison sentence. The court ruled to take the actor into custody. The final sentence, as expected, will be handed down on Monday, November 9.

Brand himself denies all accusations and insists on his innocence.

The trial began on October 12. The jury heard testimonies from women who reported crimes, witnesses, and the actions of the actor himself. The prosecutor called Brand a sexual predator, claiming that his desire for sexual contact was excessive and indiscriminate.

On October 28, Brand testified before the jury. He stated that the accusations had been a deeply traumatic ordeal for him and had a destructive impact on his life. The actor also emphasized that he considers consent an essential condition for sexual relations. His lawyer stated in his closing argument that the prosecution had not provided evidence that his client is a person who commits rape and considers such behavior normal.

According to journalists' reports, during the announcement of the guilty verdict, Brand sat motionless and showed no emotion.

In addition, a new investigation has begun against the actor in connection with rape accusations recently made by two more women. Police have already questioned Brand regarding these allegations. Materials for both cases have been handed over to the Crown Prosecution Service of the UK. Investigators continue to cooperate with prosecutors.

Russell Brand is known for his roles in the romantic comedy "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" and the film "Get Him to the Greek", as well as voicing characters in the animated films "Despicable Me" and "Despicable Me 2". From 2010 to 2012, he was married to American singer Katy Perry.

In recent years, Brand has run his own YouTube channel, where, among other things, he spreads various conspiracy theories. He also called the journalistic investigation that attracted police attention a conspiracy.

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