Russell Brand denied nonconsensual sex; jury convicts him of rape and sexual assault
Brand denied nonconsensual sex in 2023, saying a TV company and a newspaper had sent him allegations. After four convictions and three acquittals, prosecutors condemn his conduct while Megyn Kelly challenges the account underlying the rape conviction.
Russell Brand, September 15, 2023. Excerpt: 00:49.50-00:58.70.
9.2-second continuous excerpt from the 2:45 original statement, encoded at 480p. Original audio retained; no words rearranged.
Video: Russell Brand / YouTube. Fair use: news reporting and criticism (opens in a new tab)
Watch the full original video (opens in a new tab) (relevant passage: 00:09-02:22, especially 00:53-00:58; complete video duration 02:45)
Case period:
Published by The Dispute Index editorial teamPublished Updated
Overview
In a statement uploaded on September 15, 2023, Brand denied serious allegations and said his relationships during the period were consensual. He said a TV company and a newspaper had sent him the allegations. Police began investigating after Channel 4's Dispatches, The Times and The Sunday Times reported allegations in September 2023. Original statement (opens in a new tab); Police account (opens in a new tab)
On November 5, 2026, a Southwark Crown Court jury convicted him of one rape and three sexual assaults. He was acquitted of two other rape counts and one attempted indecent assault. Sentencing was scheduled for November 9. The convictions are the court outcome, not an unresolved allegation. Verdicts reported from court (opens in a new tab); Police account (opens in a new tab); CPS account (opens in a new tab)
Kelly acknowledged the verdict but disputed the credibility of the account supporting the rape conviction. The CPS stresses that consent to earlier sexual activity does not establish consent to a later act and that reporting delays do not preclude prosecution. Kelly's segment (opens in a new tab); CPS account (opens in a new tab)
People in this case
Megyn KellyDirectly involved
Timeline
2 timeline entries on this page. Dates: September 15, 2023 to November 5, 2026
September 2023
Brand releases his denial of allegations sent to him
Source release
In a 2-minute-45-second statement, Brand says his relationships were consensual and rejects criminal allegations he says a TV company and a newspaper sent him.
[01]So, This Is Happening
Brand denies allegations he says a TV company and a newspaper sent him and says his relationships during the period were consensual. The full statement runs 2:45.
So, This Is Happening00:09-02:22, especially 00:53-00:58; complete video duration 02:45
November 2026
Jury convicts Brand on four counts and acquits on three
Incident
The jury finds Brand guilty of rape and three sexual assaults. It acquits him of two other rape counts and attempted indecent assault. Sentencing is scheduled for November 9.
[02]Russell Brand convicted of rape and other sexual offences
The Metropolitan Police announces four convictions and describes its investigation. The release gives the investigating force's evaluation of Brand's conduct.
Russell Brand convicted of rape and other sexual offencesConvictions list; statement by Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy; investigation account[03]Russell Brand convicted of non-recent sexual offences against four women
The prosecution describes its case and the four convictions. Its account of consent and evidentiary approach is the CPS's position.
Russell Brand convicted of non-recent sexual offences against four womenStatement by David Roberts; Building the case; Notes to editors[04]Russell Brand Found GUILTY on Multiple Counts of S*xual Assault
Kelly acknowledges the verdict and disputes the credibility of the account underlying the rape conviction. Her descriptions of testimony are her account; the jury's verdicts are separate court findings.
Russell Brand Found GUILTY on Multiple Counts of S*xual Assault00:05-01:09, 10:00-13:18 and 17:24-18:40; complete segment 20:16[05]Russell Brand found guilty of rape and sexual assault
ITV reports the four convictions and three acquittals and distinguishes the charges. This court reporting supplies the acquittal breakdown alongside the prosecution and police releases.
Russell Brand found guilty of rape and sexual assaultVerdict breakdown; updated November 6, 6:54 a.m.
Claims
Claims separate what was said from what is contested. Follow each source for the original wording and context.
What's disputed
Disputed claim
Brand's sexual relationships during the period addressed by the September 2023 allegations were always consensual.
What is disputed
The later jury returned four convictions and three acquittals. Kelly disputes the credibility of the account supporting the rape conviction.
Sources (1)
- So, This Is Happening00:09-02:22, especially 00:53-00:58; complete video duration 02:45
Arguments
Documented position
Crown Prosecution Service, November 5 account
Earlier consent does not determine consent to a later act
The CPS argues that consent is specific and revocable and that prosecutors should examine the defendant's conduct rather than presume how a victim should react or when she should report.
Limit of this argument
That describes the prosecution's approach; it does not supply the jury's reasoning on each count.
Read sources
Sources
- Russell Brand convicted of non-recent sexual offences against four womenStatement by David Roberts; Building the case; Notes to editors
Response record
Responses
Choose one response filter, or select All responses to see the full record.
4 matching responses. Newest first.
Metropolitan Police ServiceInvestigating police force, statement by Detective Superintendent Andy FurphyDirectly involved Before this statement
The Metropolitan Police announces four convictions and praises the women who came forward.
"Brand used his influence, status and fame to exploit and sexually offend against women."
CondemnedCase context: Russell Brand denied nonconsensual sex; jury convicts him of rape and sexual assault
Full statement and sources
The Metropolitan Police, through Andy Furphy, condemns Brand's conduct and says fame did not put him above the law.
After the statement
The release explains the investigation's evidentiary work and urges other potential victims to report.
Russell Brand convicted of rape and other sexual offencesConvictions list; statement by Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy; investigation accountWhy this label?
The statement expressly condemns the sexual offending under scrutiny and describes exploitation through fame and influence.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Crown Prosecution ServiceProsecution service, statement by senior crown prosecutor David RobertsDirectly involved Before this statement
The CPS announces the four convictions after the trial.
"Russell Brand was predatory and used his celebrity status to commit sexual crimes."
CondemnedCase context: Russell Brand denied nonconsensual sex; jury convicts him of rape and sexual assault
Full statement and sources
The CPS, through David Roberts, condemns Brand's conduct as predatory abuse of celebrity status.
After the statement
Its account explains why prosecutors focused on Brand's actions rather than assumptions about victims' reactions.
Russell Brand convicted of non-recent sexual offences against four womenStatement by David Roberts; Building the case; Notes to editorsWhy this label?
The prosecution expressly criticizes the conduct at issue, rather than merely reporting the verdict.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Megyn KellyCommentator and broadcasterDirectly involvedBefore this statement
Kelly begins by reporting four convictions from seven counts.
"the one count of rape that this jury appears to have bought is what I thought was by far the least credible account."
Challenged the characterizationCase context: Russell Brand denied nonconsensual sex; jury convicts him of rape and sexual assault
Full statement and sources
Kelly acknowledges the guilty verdict and challenges the credibility of the account underlying the rape conviction.
After the statement
She presents her reading of the trial testimony and criticizes the earlier documentary. Her account is distinct from the jury's findings.
Russell Brand Found GUILTY on Multiple Counts of S*xual Assault00:05-01:09, 10:00-13:18 and 17:24-18:40; complete segment 20:16Why this label?
Kelly contests the prosecution's account and the credibility underlying a conviction. The quoted passage does not justify nonconsensual conduct.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Russell BrandComedian and broadcaster responding to allegationsDirectly involved Before this statement
He says a TV company and a newspaper sent him a letter and an email listing allegations.
"the relationships I had were absolutely always consensual"
DeniedCase context: Russell Brand denied nonconsensual sex; jury convicts him of rape and sexual assault
Full statement and sources
Brand denies that his sexual relationships during the period under scrutiny were nonconsensual.
After the statement
He alleges a coordinated media attack and says witnesses contradict the allegations. The criminal verdict came later.
So, This Is Happening00:09-02:22, especially 00:53-00:58; complete video duration 02:45Why this label?
Brand explicitly denies the alleged nonconsensual conduct; he does not argue that assault would be justified.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Sources
(5)
Original video
So, This Is Happening
Russell Brand, September 15, 2023. Excerpt: 00:49.50-00:58.70.
9.2-second continuous excerpt from the 2:45 original statement, encoded at 480p. Original audio retained; no words rearranged.
Video: Russell Brand / YouTube. Fair use: news reporting and criticism (opens in a new tab)
Watch the full original video (opens in a new tab) (relevant passage: 00:09-02:22, especially 00:53-00:58; complete video duration 02:45)
About this source
Brand denies allegations he says a TV company and a newspaper sent him and says his relationships during the period were consensual. The full statement runs 2:45.
- Author
- Russell Brand
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
Russell Brand found guilty of rape and sexual assault
Relevant passage: Verdict breakdown; updated November 6, 6:54 a.m.
About this source
ITV reports the four convictions and three acquittals and distinguishes the charges. This court reporting supplies the acquittal breakdown alongside the prosecution and police releases.
- Author
- ITV News
- Published
- Accessed
Original video
Russell Brand Found GUILTY on Multiple Counts of S*xual Assault
About this source
Kelly acknowledges the verdict and disputes the credibility of the account underlying the rape conviction. Her descriptions of testimony are her account; the jury's verdicts are separate court findings.
- Author
- Megyn Kelly
- Published
- Accessed
Official statement
Russell Brand convicted of non-recent sexual offences against four women
Relevant passage: Statement by David Roberts; Building the case; Notes to editors
About this source
The prosecution describes its case and the four convictions. Its account of consent and evidentiary approach is the CPS's position.
- Author
- Crown Prosecution Service
- Published
- Accessed
Official statement
Russell Brand convicted of rape and other sexual offences
Relevant passage: Convictions list; statement by Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy; investigation account
About this source
The Metropolitan Police announces four convictions and describes its investigation. The release gives the investigating force's evaluation of Brand's conduct.
- Author
- Metropolitan Police
- Published
- Accessed
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Cite this record
- Publisher
- The Dispute Index
- Title
- Russell Brand denied nonconsensual sex; jury convicts him of rape and sexual assault
- First published
- Last updated
- Permalink
- https://disputeindex.com/cases/russell-brand-consent-denial-rape-verdict-kelly
The Dispute Index. "Russell Brand denied nonconsensual sex; jury convicts him of rape and sexual assault". First published: 2026-11-06. Last updated: 2026-11-06. https://disputeindex.com/cases/russell-brand-consent-denial-rape-verdict-kelly