Russell Brand found guilty of rape and sex assault

LONDON — British comedian and actor Russell Brand has been found guilty of rape and sexual assault in a London court on Thursday.

Brand, ⁠once ‌one of Britain’s most high-profile ‌broadcasters and the ‌former husband of ⁠singer Katy Perry, had denied the accusations, saying the incidents ‌had either ​been ‌consensual, reinvented ⁠or re-imagined.

Brand, 51, was accused of three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of attempted indecent assault. Ultimately he was found guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault. He ⁠was acquitted of ⁠the other charges.

He had pleaded not guilty to all counts and consistently denied all of the allegations.

The judge, Justice Joel Bennathan, told Brand the consequence of the verdicts is a “significant custodial term” and said he would have to remain in prison until he is formally sentenced on Monday.

“You’ve been convicted of a number of offenses including rape,” Bennathan said, adding that Brand inevitably faced a “significant” prison sentence.

The maximum sentence for rape is life imprisonment and 10 years for one count of sexual assault, according to Britain’s Sentencing Council.

The accusations date back to Brand’s rise as a stand-up comedian and…

Original source: https://www.nbcnews.com/world