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Ongoing story / United Kingdom

The sexual assault case against Russell Brand, from the 2023 reports to his conviction

Overview · reviewed November 14, 2026

The British comedian and actor Russell Brand was convicted in November 2026 of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault, three years after British news organizations published accusations from women who knew him at the height of his fame.[1][2] The judge warned of a "significant" prison term, and he was sentenced to ten and a half years in prison,[3][4][5] and the verdict raised questions about an entertainment industry that some said had looked away.[1][6]

Read the timeline

Follow this story to see new developments when you return.

The judge warned of a "significant" prison term, and he was sentenced to ten and a half years in prison,[3][4][5] and the verdict raised questions about an entertainment industry that some said had looked away.[1][6]

Coverage over time

Share of tracked outlets · monthly average of weekly shares (UTC)

Sep 2023: average weekly share 12% (left 4%, center 5%, right 3%), from 3 of 3 weeksOct 2023: average weekly share 1% (left under 1%, center under 1%, right under 1%), from 5 of 5 weeksNov 2023: average weekly share 1% (left under 1%, center under 1%, right under 1%), from 4 of 4 weeksDec 2023: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 4 of 4 weeksJan 2024: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 5 of 5 weeksFeb 2024: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 4 of 4 weeksMar 2024: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 4 of 4 weeksApr 2024: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 5 of 5 weeksMay 2024: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 4 of 4 weeksJun 2024: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 4 of 4 weeksJul 2024: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 5 of 5 weeksAug 2024: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 4 of 4 weeksSep 2024: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 5 of 5 weeksOct 2024: average weekly share 1% (left under 1%, center under 1%, right under 1%), from 4 of 4 weeksNov 2024: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 4 of 4 weeksDec 2024: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 5 of 5 weeksJan 2025: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 4 of 4 weeksFeb 2025: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 4 of 4 weeksMar 2025: average weekly share 3% (left 1%, center 2%, right 1%), from 5 of 5 weeksApr 2025: average weekly share 2% (left under 1%, center 2%, right under 1%), from 4 of 4 weeksMay 2025: average weekly share 3% (left 1%, center 2%, right under 1%), from 4 of 4 weeksJun 2025: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 5 of 5 weeksJul 2025: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 4 of 4 weeksAug 2025: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 4 of 4 weeksSep 2025: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 5 of 5 weeksOct 2025: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 4 of 4 weeksNov 2025: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 4 of 4 weeksDec 2025: average weekly share 2% (left 1%, center 1%, right 1%), from 5 of 5 weeksJan 2026: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 4 of 4 weeksFeb 2026: average weekly share 1% (left 0%, center under 1%, right under 1%), from 4 of 4 weeksMar 2026: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 5 of 5 weeksApr 2026: average weekly share under 1% (left 0%, center 0%, right under 1%), from 4 of 4 weeksMay 2026: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 4 of 4 weeksJun 2026: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 5 of 5 weeksJul 2026: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 4 of 4 weeksAug 2026: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 5 of 5 weeksSep 2026: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 4 of 4 weeksOct 2026: average weekly share 3% (left 1%, center 2%, right under 1%), from 4 of 4 weeksNov 2026: average weekly share 15% (left 3%, center 8%, right 4%), from 2 of 2 weeks, so far

LeftCenterRight

Each bar is the share of the outlets on our Left / Center / Right rating scale that we tracked publishing that week which carried reporting on this story, split by the outlets' ratings. Over more than two years each bar is a month: the average of that month's weekly shares, so the shape stays readable. The weekly table below keeps every week. We track more outlets now than in the archive, so a share keeps earlier and later weeks comparable. An outlet counts once a week however much it published, and outlets in one ownership or syndication group count as one on each side they appear on. A rating describes the outlet, not the report. A gap means no such reports were collected that week, not that nothing was reported anywhere. Weeks run Monday to Sunday in UTC, so a report published on a Sunday evening in US Eastern time counts in the next week. 13 more outlets off the scale (not rated, or outside the left-right graphs) also reported; they are not in this chart. See them.

Weekly counts, outlets and reports (19 weeks with coverage)
Outlets on the rating scale that carried this story each week, of the outlets tracked that week, newest first
Week of (UTC)LeftCenterRightOf trackedShareReceipts
Nov 9, 2026 (so far)13392072 of 47415%
Nov 2, 202615372274 of 47116%
Oct 26, 2026513422 of 4735%
Oct 19, 20261416 of 4791%
Oct 12, 2026414119 of 4764%
Oct 5, 20260819 of 4792%
Apr 20, 20260022 of 1571%
Feb 23, 20260224 of 1862%
Dec 22, 202548517 of 13912%
May 26, 2025814224 of 19113%
Apr 28, 2025414119 of 2049%
Mar 31, 20251019635 of 20517%
Oct 28, 20241326 of 1963%
Nov 13, 20232316 of 2153%
Oct 30, 20234127 of 2333%
Oct 2, 20230112 of 2431%
Sep 25, 202357315 of 2277%
Sep 18, 202312181141 of 23318%
Sep 11, 20231011526 of 24211%

Latest coverage

The newest reporting in this story's record.

  1. Nov 13, 2026 · first reported · Headline from Variety

    ‘Russell Brand: Open Secret’ Director Says Finding Contributors Wasn’t Easy: ‘There’s Been a Landscape of Fear’

Background

In September 2023 three British news organizations reported allegations of rape, sexual assault and abuse from four women over a seven-year period, which Brand denied.[2] London's Metropolitan Police opened an investigation, and a second force, Thames Valley Police, received new information;[7][8][9] promoters postponed his tour,[10] YouTube cut off his earnings from the site,[11] and the BBC received more complaints about his behavior.[12] A woman sued Brand and Warner Bros., saying he assaulted her on the set of the 2010 film "Arthur."[13]

Read the full background (2 more paragraphs)

Prosecutors charged him in April 2025 with rape, indecent assault, oral rape and sexual assault involving four women;[14] he pleaded not guilty,[15] and new charges in December 2025 brought the number of alleged victims to six.[16][17] Before the trial, Brand said in an interview that he had had "consensual sex" with a 16-year-old when he was 30, calling it "exploitative."[18]

His trial opened at Southwark Crown Court in London in October 2026, with the prosecutor calling him a ruthless sexual predator.[19] Six women testified,[20] Brand denied all the charges on the stand,[21] and his wife, Laura Brand, testified in his defense.[22] His lawyers argued that a 2023 Channel 4 documentary had "poisoned the well of justice."[23] The jury weighed seven charges[24] and convicted him on four.[25] Afterward, a TV producer said to have laughed during one of the assaults was dropped from BBC and Apple projects,[26] and the comedian Katherine Ryan, one of the first to call out his behavior, said she felt "grief and relief."[27] After his sentencing, the film producer Jemima Goldsmith alleged that Brand had been abusive during their relationship,[28] and the case became part of a wider reckoning over sexual misconduct among British comedians as allegations surfaced against David Walliams.[4] A week after the verdict, Netflix released a documentary, "Russell Brand: Open Secret," in which a former girlfriend who was not part of the trial described his behavior.[5]

Supporting stories (28)
  1. Russell Brand’s convictions renew spotlight on media — and a culture — that may have looked away
  2. Russell Brand accused of sexual assault as published in 3 UK reports
  3. When will Russell Brand be sentenced, and how long could he be in prison?
  4. Walliams and Brand were leading UK comics. Now they are part of a reckoning over sexual misconduct
  5. Russell Brand’s ex claims he sexually assaulted her, made her brush teeth until mouth bled
  6. Russell Brand’s Instagram and Facebook accounts deactived just days after rape conviction
  7. UK police investigate sexual assault report after Russell Brand allegations
  8. UK police investigate sex assault allegations following Russell Brand reports
  9. Second UK Police Force Investigating Russell Brand
  10. Russell Brand comedy tour dates postponed amid sex assault allegations
  11. YouTube suspends Russell Brand from making money off the streaming site after sex assault claims
  12. BBC says 2 more people have come forward to complain about Russell Brand's behavior - The Daily Reporter
  13. Russell Brand Accused of Sexual Assault on ‘Arthur’ Movie Set in New Lawsuit
  14. Russell Brand charged with rape and sexual assault
  15. Russell Brand pleads not guilty to rape and sexual assault charges
  16. Russell Brand faces new charges of rape and sexual assault
  17. Russell Brand pleads not guilty to new rape and sexual assault charges
  18. Russell Brand says he had ‘exploitative’ consensual sex with girl, 16, at height of his fame
  19. UK prosecutor labels Russell Brand a ruthless sexual predator as his sex assault trial begins
  20. Russell Brand trial: What to know as 6 women testify in actor's rape and sexual assault trial in London
  21. Russell Brand denies all charges as he takes the stand at his rape and sex assault trial
  22. Russell Brand’s wife tells court he is ‘amazingly attentive husband’
  23. Russell Brand’s Defense Argues Channel 4 Film “Poisoned Well Of Justice Deliberately”
  24. Jury begins deliberating at Russell Brand’s rape and sexual assault trial
  25. Russell Brand’s Marriage to Katy Perry Blocked From Being Mentioned by Prosecution in Rape Trial
  26. British Comedy Producer Who “Laughed” During Russell Brand Assault Dropped From BBC & Apple Shows
  27. Katherine Ryan says she feels 'grief and relief' after Russell Brand conviction
  28. Jemima Goldsmith says ex-partner Russell Brand physically assaulted her

The full record

Each date is when an update was first reported.

All 39 recorded updates

November 2026

  1. Russell Brand’s ex claims he sexually assaulted her, made her brush teeth until mouth bledHeadline from New York Post · 2 outlets
  2. Walliams and Brand were leading UK comics. Now they are part of a reckoning over sexual misconductHeadline from WFMZ Allentown · 3 outlets
  3. Jemima Goldsmith says ex-partner Russell Brand physically assaulted herHeadline from The Guardian · 7 outlets
  4. Famous singer called out Russell Brand as a ‘predator’ two decades before his convictionHeadline from AL.com · 6 outlets
  5. Russell Brand’s Instagram and Facebook accounts deactived just days after rape convictionHeadline from New York Post · 80 outlets
  6. Brand conviction shines light on industry culture of silenceHeadline from Richmond Times-Dispatch · 1 outlet
  7. When will Russell Brand be sentenced, and how long could he be in prison?Headline from Phl17 · 4 outlets
  8. Katherine Ryan says she feels 'grief and relief' after Russell Brand convictionHeadline from BBC News · 3 outlets
  9. Bear Grylls Declares Justice Served After Russell Brand Rape Conviction, Hails Victims as Heroes [WATCH]Headline from Objectivist · 6 outlets
  10. Russell Brand’s Marriage to Katy Perry Blocked From Being Mentioned by Prosecution in Rape TrialHeadline from Variety · 3 outlets
  11. British Comedy Producer Who “Laughed” During Russell Brand Assault Dropped From BBC & Apple ShowsHeadline from Deadline · 2 outlets
  12. Jury begins deliberating at Russell Brand’s rape and sexual assault trialHeadline from MyNorthwest · 13 outlets
  13. Russell Brand is not a ‘psychopath who rapes people and thinks it’s normal’, court toldHeadline from The Guardian · 3 outlets
  14. Russell Brand’s Defense Argues Channel 4 Film “Poisoned Well Of Justice Deliberately”Headline from Deadline · 2 outlets
  15. Russell Brand’s convictions renew spotlight on media — and a culture — that may have looked awayHeadline from WTOP Washington DC · 78 outlets

October 2026

  1. Russell Brand’s wife tells court he is ‘amazingly attentive husband’Headline from The Guardian · 3 outlets
  2. Russell Brand denies all charges as he takes the stand at his rape and sex assault trialHeadline from WTOP Washington DC · 26 outlets
  3. Russell Brand had ‘insane sexual appetite’ and his bad behaviour was normalised, trial toldHeadline from The Guardian · 4 outlets
  4. Russell Brand trial: What to know as 6 women testify in actor's rape and sexual assault trial in LondonHeadline from ABC 11 Raleigh · 1 outlet
  5. Russell Brand Trial: Witnesses Say Their Friend Was “Extremely Distressed” After Alleged Anal RapeHeadline from Deadline · 10 outlets
  6. Russell Brand was ‘wild-eyed maniac’ when trying to drag woman into toilets, court toldHeadline from The Guardian · 2 outlets
  7. Russell Brand accuser says alleged rape left her afraid she may be pregnantHeadline from BBC News · 2 outlets
  8. UK prosecutor labels Russell Brand a ruthless sexual predator as his sex assault trial beginsHeadline from Phl17 · 34 outlets

April 2026

  1. Russell Brand says he had ‘exploitative’ consensual sex with girl, 16, at height of his fameHeadline from The Guardian · 6 outlets

February 2026

  1. Russell Brand pleads not guilty to new rape and sexual assault chargesHeadline from NBC 6 South Florida · 7 outlets

Coverage & sources

Read the reports, see how much was collected over time, or compare outlets by political leaning.

Coverage & sources →