Russell Brand Convicted of Rape and Sexual Assault
Verdict follows investigation, prompts industry reckoning; barrister confronts journalist outside court.
Sarah Connor
Russell Brand was found guilty on Thursday of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault.
The conviction followed an investigation spearheaded by Sunday Times journalist Rosamund Urwin. Brand's barrister, Ian Winter KC, confronted Urwin outside the courtroom after the verdict.
The trial judge dismissed Brand's attempt to block his trial. Brand claimed the attempt stemmed from negative media coverage. This decision allowed proceedings to continue despite the defense's objections.
Katherine Ryan stated she experiences both grief and relief after the verdict. Ryan previously claimed in a 2022 interview with Louis Theroux that a "predator" operated in the entertainment industry.
I experience both grief and relief after the verdict.
Many interpreted Ryan's statement as referring to Brand. Ryan mentioned she had been on a TV program with the individual and told him he was a "predator" to "his face."
She has not confirmed that she was referring to Brand. She has also not named the specific show she worked on at the time.
The court heard that in 2009, Jack Bayles, head of comedy at Various Artists Limited (VAL), and Gareth Roy reportedly forced a young female staffer to give Brand a massage.
Bayles has been asked to step back from VAL. The company is involved in the production of BBC sitcoms such as Such Brave Girls and Push.
Daniel Sloss was the only comedian to go on record in the Channel 4 Dispatches documentary related to the allegations. This stands in contrast to the broader silence from many within the comedy circuit.
Russell Brand – what a c.
Bob Geldof, at the NME Awards in 2006, reportedly insulted Russell Brand. Geldof stated, "Russell Brand – what a c*."
Katy Brand, a comedian, is not related to Russell Brand. Russell Brand also reportedly quit Comedy Central's Roast Battle after six episodes and was replaced by Jonathan Ross.