Russell Brand found guilty of rape and sexual assaults in London
The British actor and comedian, who denies the charges, will remain in custody until the sentencing hearing scheduled for Monday.
Translated from the Portuguese original by the Panorama newsroom. Read in Portuguese
Summary written by the Panorama newsroom from the sources listed below. Facts are attributed to the original publications.
British actor and comedian Russell Brand, 51, was found guilty this Thursday (5th) of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault, BBC News Mundo reported. The verdict was read at Southwark Crown Court in London, with Brand and his wife, Laura, present.
The trial began in October. In total, he faced seven charges, three of rape, three of sexual assault and one of indecent assault, involving six women and events that took place between 1999 and 2009, during his career in entertainment. Brand denies all the allegations.
After the verdict, Judge Joel Bennathan ordered the actor to be remanded in custody. The judge said the inevitable consequence would be a significant prison sentence. The sentencing hearing is scheduled for Monday.
During the proceedings, the prosecution described him as a sexual predator. Testifying on October 28, Brand said the allegations had been deeply traumatic for him and that he considers consent fundamental; his defense argued there was no evidence that he was some kind of psychopath who rapes people and thinks it is normal.
The BBC also confirmed that Brand is being investigated over new rape allegations made by two other women. The Metropolitan Police said he has already been questioned about them, that the investigation is ongoing and that the cases have been referred to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).