Police are investigating two further rape allegations against Russell Brand, who was found guilty of rape and sexual assault following a trial. The Metropolitan Police has confirmed that investigations are ongoing into two allegations of rape made against Brand.
Brand, now 51, was found guilty of raping one woman and sexually assaulting three others between 2004 and 2009, after a four-week trial at Southwark Crown Court on Thursday. He was cleared by the jury of two counts of rape and one charge of attempted indecent assault.
Further Allegations Under Review
It can now be reported that more women came forward to police after Brand was first accused, and prosecutors are assessing whether to bring further charges. The allegations were heard at pre-trial court proceedings, but could not previously be reported.
A police spokesperson said: “The Met’s investigation into allegations of rape made by two women remains ongoing. The suspect has previously been interviewed under caution in connection with the allegations.
“Files have been submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service in relation to both complainants. Detectives remain in close contact with prosecutors as inquiries continue and further investigative work is carried out.”
Court Proceedings and Legal Arguments
The spectre of further charges was raised in court hearings in March and May, when Brand’s legal team sought assurances that new charges would not be brought shortly before the trial took place.
“There may be additional complainants in this case,” said defence barrister Ian Winter KC. “That may have an impact on the argument the defence wishes to run.”
At the May hearing, Mr Justice Bennathan set out that there are two new accusers, and prosecutor Riel Karmy-Jones KC confirmed they “would not seek to join any further complainants to this trial”.
Background of Allegations
In 2023, Brand was first publicly accused of sexual misconduct with a series of women in reporting by the Sunday Times, The Times, and Channel 4 Dispatches.
One of his accusers was a woman given the alias ‘Alice’, who alleged she had been mistreated by Brand when she was a 16-year-old schoolgirl. In a subsequent interview with BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour, Alice said Brand had called her “The Child” when they were together, when he was 30 years old and a BBC star.
She said: “It was my first sexual experience, I felt used up, I felt cheap, I felt dirtied by the whole thing.”
The woman said her education was derailed in the wake of her relationship with Brand, and she said she developed an eating disorder. At the time, she publicly accused Brand of sexual misconduct, and claimed she had been ferried around in BBC cars and driven from school to the comedian’s home.
In legal argument in October before Brand’s trial began at Southwark Crown Court, Ms Karmy-Jones KC set out that the allegations are still under investigation. It was raised as Brand complained about negative publicity, arguing that he could not have a fair trial.
Police Appeal and Sentencing
In its statement after the trial verdicts, the Met issued an appeal, saying: “Anyone who wishes to speak to detectives or make a report can contact the investigation team by email at CSOU@met.police.uk.
“Reports can also be made by calling 101 from within the UK and quoting reference 2321/04NOV26.”
Brand is facing a significant prison sentence after the guilty verdicts. His legal team made an application for Brand to be bailed ahead of sentencing on Monday, arguing for Brand to have a chance to say goodbye to his children. The judge denied the application and remanded him into custody.
