Russell Brand has been found guilty of rape and three counts of sexual assault following a four-week trial. The verdict covers charges involving six women over a ten-year period from 1999 to 2009.
Reactions from those who knew him
Charlotte Griffiths, a guest on TalkTV, said she was not surprised by the outcome. Having worked as a diary editor in the 2010s, she recounted bumping into Brand frequently during that era, describing him as "extremely, overtly sexual."
Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy stated: "Brand used his influence, status and fame to exploit and sexually offend against women. As his profile grew, so too did his sense of entitlement. I hope this conviction sends a clear message that no one is above the law, no matter how famous or powerful they may be."
Career and trial details
Brand rose to fame in 2000 as a stand-up comedian and TV presenter before landing roles in Hollywood films and becoming a best-selling author. During the trial, he maintained that his sexual encounters were consensual but admitted to using his fame to "facilitate sexual access."
Griffiths also reflected on the public's reaction, noting that people might feel they "should be kicking themselves" because Brand was "hiding in plain sight." She added: "The thing about comedians is that they are a little unhinged and a bit mad and a bit wild, and it's confusing as a viewer because you think, 'Well, he's acting that way; we don't know if he's doing that in real life; that's his schtick.'"
She concluded: "His schtick is being overtly sexual and a little bit crazy."
