#SHOWBIZ: Russell Brand guilty of rape, three sexual assaults

British comedian Russell Brand was found guilty by a London jury of one rape and three sexual assaults on Thursday, according to the source. The four women involved have been accused of being exploited and sexually offended by Brand, who showed no emotion as the verdicts were delivered. Judge Joel Bennathan warned Brand of a significant custodial sentence, with the maximum being life imprisonment for rape.

Brand's wife, Laura, accompanied him throughout the trial as he faced multiple charges, including two rapes and one count of attempted indecent assault against two other women. The Metropolitan Police is investigating previous allegations, which could result in further criminal charges. Brand's defense team attempted to dismiss the case due to previous media coverage, but the judge ruled it sufficient to eliminate jurors who had seen the coverage.

Outside the court, Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy praised the women for their courage and resilience, stating that Brand's celebrity status allowed him to use his influence to commit sexual crimes. Brand's lawyer, Ian Winter, requested bail to allow Brand to attend to his children, but the judge denied the request, citing concerns about Brand's ability to face his sentence.