The Metropolitan Police are preparing to examine intelligence from at least 10 more women who may have been targeted by Russell Brand, as detectives brace for a potential flood of new allegations following his conviction.
Brand, 51, is due to be sentenced on Monday after being found guilty of a series of rapes and sexual assaults. Prosecutors argued he used his celebrity status to act as a "predator" who evaded justice for years.
Fresh reports under review
The Evening Standard understands that next week, the Met team behind the successful prosecution will begin analysing fresh reports and intelligence regarding further potential victims.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley confirmed detectives are already investigating two further allegations of rape against Brand, with case files submitted to specialist prosecutors at the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
Sir Mark warned there could be "many more" victims, though he declined to specify exact numbers. Police sources fear the total number of additional victims is comfortably in the "double digits," with 10 currently viewed as a conservative minimum, The Guardian reports.
Commissioner's warning
Some of the intelligence received so far is third-hand, while other alleged victims are reportedly hesitant to enter the criminal justice system.
Speaking on LBC Radio, Sir Mark said: "We've got two other victims who've come forward who want to tell their story, and so two rape cases we're investigating. I wouldn't be surprised if many, many more come forward, and we're open to that."
While refusing to guess the final scale of the inquiry, the Met chief added: "We've seen in the past with high-profile individuals who are brought to justice that it does often bring out a flood of other cases. Let's see where this one goes."
Political response
Prime Minister Andy Burnham told Times Radio he will look at making changes to rape trials so that they "do not leave the woman feeling like she is on trial in court".
Speaking to political editor Anna Mikhailova, he said: "I think we need to constantly look at the way rape trials are conducted to make sure that they do not leave the woman feeling like she is on trial in court, as has been the experience of people in the past. So I will look closely at what Sir Mark Rowley is saying. Always prepared to make changes. We need to encourage more women to come forward to report rape."
Burnham added: "We need to get the conviction rate up. It has improved, but not enough. We need to do more to support victims of sexual assault and rape, and we will do that as well. All of this is part of our broader agenda as a government, combating violence against women and girls."
Asked whether changes would include legislation, Burnham went on: "I wouldn't rule anything out, of course not. I mean, I will study what's happened here in great detail."
Trial details
Throughout his trial at Southwark Crown Court, Brand denied all seven criminal charges: three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of attempted indecent assault.
After nearly nine hours of deliberations, the jury found Brand guilty of four sex attacks. He was cleared of two counts of rape and one charge of attempted indecent assault. Brand was remanded in custody and will face sentencing on Monday.
During the trial, Brand's defence lawyer Ian Winter KC told the court that none of the complainants had "resisted or screamed or even tried to leave". Ms Waxman said: "The idea that rape victims must scream, physically resist or immediately report an offence is a well-established rape myth, rooted in outdated and harmful assumptions about how victims are expected to behave. That's why I am calling for a legal duty in the Courts and Tribunals Bill, requiring judges to direct juries on rape myths and misconceptions in every rape trial. Justice must be grounded in evidence, not misconceptions. Consistent judicial directions would help challenge stereotypes and improve understanding of trauma."
