Russell Brand: what we know about six new misconduct allegations

Six more women have made allegations of sexual misconduct against Russell Brand, according to an investigation by The Times and The Sunday Times, reported by The Independent, the i Paper and the Mirror. The claims are unproven and Brand has previously denied wrongdoing, saying his relationships were consensual.

What is confirmed?

Brand, 51, was found guilty at Southwark Crown Court of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault against four women, the i Paper reported. The Independent said the verdict followed a four-week trial. He was sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison.

The i Paper reported that he is expected to serve two-thirds of the sentence before release on licence and will be on the sex offenders’ register for life. It also reported that Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, removed his social media accounts on Thursday afternoon.

The Mirror reported that Brand was charged with offences involving six women. It said he was acquitted of two rape charges and one count of attempted indecent assault.

What are the new allegations?

These are claims reported by The Times, not findings by a court. The newspapers said the allegations could not be published until the criminal case ended, to avoid prejudicing the trial.

According to the Mirror and The Independent, one woman alleges that Brand had sex with her without her consent and then apologised in person and by text message. Another woman, who says she met him in 2007 aged 19 while queuing with a friend to see him, alleges he continued during sex after she told him it was painful. The Independent reported that she says he said afterwards that the night had been consensual.

The Independent reported that the Times said half of the new accusers had been at his shows, and that all of the women spoke to reporters before hearing the allegations aired at trial. The Mirror said most of them approached journalists after the September 2023 investigation that first brought allegations against Brand.

The Mirror also reported that one woman, identified only as Alex, decided after the verdict to let her account be published to support the women who gave evidence. The Times says journalists examined messages, photographs and archive material and spoke to friends who were told about the alleged incidents at the time.

Has Brand responded?

The Times reported that, after the conviction, journalists offered Brand’s lawyer a chance to respond. According to the newspaper, the lawyer first said he would consider seeking injunctive relief and asked for more time. A later agreed deadline passed without a reply. Brand has previously denied all wrongdoing.

What is still unknown?

None of the new allegations has been tested in court. The i Paper noted that the new claims were withheld during the proceedings, and the Mirror said the Metropolitan Police began its investigation after the 2023 reports.

Why does it matter?

The reports show how allegations that could not be published during a trial can emerge once proceedings end. For readers, the distinction is between the verdicts reached by a jury, which are confirmed, and the newly reported claims, which remain allegations attributed to the women who made them.

Around Prague, based on reporting by Mirror, The i Paper, The Independent

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