A London court judge is scheduled to sentence comedian and actor Russell Brand on Monday following his conviction on sexual offense charges. The sentencing follows a trial at Southwark Crown Court that concluded on Thursday.
The trial addressed seven historical charges brought forward by six different women. The allegations occurred between 2004 and 2009, during a period when Brand worked as a television host and comedian. Brand denied all charges throughout the proceedings, maintaining that all sexual encounters were consensual.
A jury found Brand, 51, guilty of one count of rape involving a woman who attended a 2009 comedy show and three counts of sexual assault occurring at a bar, a radio station, and a television studio. He was found not guilty of two other counts of rape and one count of attempted indecent assault. Following the verdict, Judge Joel Bennathan denied a request for bail and remanded Brand into custody, stating that the defendant faces a "significant custodial term."
London police detective Andy Furphy stated that Brand used his "influence, status and fame to prey on women." Some observers have called the verdict a milestone for the #MeToo movement, which has seen influential men held to account for using their power to abuse women.
The sentencing hearing is scheduled for Monday, where Judge Bennathan will determine the duration of Brand’s prison term. It is not yet reported whether Brand's legal team intends to appeal the conviction.