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British actor and comedian Russell Brand was found guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault.
The verdict was announced this Thursday by Southwark Crown Court in London, in the presence of Brand and his wife Laura.
Brand, 51, faced a trial that began in October of this year, after he was charged with seven charges in total: three of rape, three of sexual assault and one of indecent assault.
The sentence was announced after the jury heard the testimony of the six complainants and the witnesses, as well as that of Brand himself, who denies all the accusations.
The crimes for which he was investigated cover 10 years of his career in show business, from 1999 to 2009.
After hearing the verdict, Judge Joel Bennathan announced that the actor would be remanded in preventive detention.
"You have been found guilty of several crimes, including rape," the magistrate said.
"The consequence of this is inevitably a significant prison sentence," he added. "My current view is that I must therefore order him committed to prison."
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The judge added that the case was "very well prepared" and that the sentencing hearing will take place on Monday.
"Sexual predator"
On the first day of the trial, the prosecution laid out the details of the alleged crimes committed against the six women.
The prosecutor described Brand as a "sexual predator" whose "strong desire for some type of sexual contact was indiscriminate and voracious."
The prosecutor also said Brand told police in 2023 that he had "never engaged in non-consensual sexual activity."
After hearing testimony from the complainants and several witnesses, Brand took the stand on October 28.
He told the jury that the allegations had been "deeply traumatic" and had had a "devastating" impact on him.
Brand stated that he believes sexual consent is "fundamental."
In his closing argument, his lawyer stated that "there was no evidence that he was some kind of psychopath who rapes people and thinks it's normal."
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Following the verdict, the BBC was able to confirm that the actor is now being investigated over new rape allegations made by two other women.
Brand has already been questioned by police in relation to these allegations.
The Metropolitan Police stated that its investigation into the allegations "remains ongoing."
In a statement, the police stated: "The suspect has already been questioned under caution in relation to the allegations."
It was stated that files had been lodged with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in relation to both complainants.
"Detectives remain in close contact with prosecutors as investigations continue and further inquiries are carried out," the police added.
Officers also encouraged anyone who would like to speak with detectives or file a report to contact them.
*With information from Helena Wilkinson and Sima Kotecha.
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