British comedian Russell Brand has been found guilty by a London jury of one rape and three sexual assaults involving four women.
The jury cleared the 51-year-old of two rapes and one count of attempted indecent assault. Brand closed his eyes but showed no emotion as the verdicts were delivered on Thursday.
Judge Joel Bennathan warned Brand, an actor who later became a conservative, religious online personality, that he faced a significant custodial term.
The offences took place between 2005 and 2009 at different locations, including a radio station, the set of a DVD recording and Brand’s home. He had pleaded not guilty to all the charges, saying that although he used to be promiscuous, his sexual encounters had always been consensual.
During the trial, the prosecution described him as a ruthless, calculated and manipulative sexual predator.
After the verdicts, London’s Metropolitan Police praised the courage of the women who came forward. Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy said Brand had used his influence, status and fame to exploit and sexually offend against women, and that the conviction showed no one was above the law.