Russell Brand denied bail as judge raises concern over flight
LONDON — Russell Brand is spending the weekend in custody after a judge refused him bail ahead of sentencing for rape and sexual assault, citing concern that he might fail to return to court. The comedian and actor is due to be sentenced at Southwark Crown Court on Monday, 9 November, following his conviction on four counts.
A jury found Brand, 51, guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault on 5 November after a four-week trial. He was acquitted of two further rape charges and one charge of attempted indecent assault. Brand denied wrongdoing, maintaining that he had never forced anyone into sexual activity.
His barrister, Ian Winter KC, asked the court to allow Brand to remain on bail over the weekend so he could say goodbye to his children. Mr Justice Bennathan rejected that request, warning that the convictions would result in a substantial prison sentence and expressing concern that Brand might flee rather than return for sentencing.
The Metropolitan Police said the four offences involved four women and occurred between 2004 and 2009. Investigators gathered evidence from more than 100 witnesses, took more than 400 statements and reviewed over 1,400 documents, reconstructing events despite the absence of CCTV and forensic evidence.
The investigation began after allegations were published by The Times, The Sunday Times and Channel 4’s Dispatches in September 2023. Police said women who were not known to one another subsequently contacted investigators. Senior Crown Prosecutor David Roberts said Brand had exploited his celebrity status to commit sexual offences and thanked the women for coming forward.
Police have also confirmed that investigations into two other rape allegations remain ongoing. Those allegations are separate from the convictions delivered this week; Monday’s hearing will determine the sentence for the offences the jury found proved.
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