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Russell Brand found guilty of rape
AOL.com • • world
Key Points:
- Russell Brand, aged 51, has been found guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault following a trial at Southwark Crown Court, and is expected to receive a lengthy prison sentence.
- Prosecutors are considering two additional rape charges against Brand, with ongoing investigations into complaints from two more women, including one who was 16 when she dated Brand at age 30.
- The conviction highlights Brand's use of his celebrity status to exploit women, with prosecutors describing him as a "ruthless, calculated and manipulative sexual predator" who showed "complete disregard" for his victims.
- Brand denied all charges, claiming any sexual contact was consensual, but the jury found him guilty of multiple assaults spanning from 1999 to 2009, involving women in various professional settings.
- The case has intensified scrutiny of broadcasters like the BBC for failing to address misconduct by high-profile figures, amid broader concerns about abuse in the entertainment industry.
