Disgraced comedian Russell Brand faces U.K. sentencing for rape

A jury unanimously convicted British comedian Russell Brand on Thursday of one rape and three sexual assaults against four women involving incidents that occurred between 2004 and 2009, according to the Toronto Sun and New Straits Times. Brand was cleared of two other alleged rapes and one count of attempted indecent assault. The New Straits Times reports that Brand, who has transitioned into a role as an online Christian guru, made the sign of the cross in court while a victim read an impact statement.

Brand appeared at London's Southwark Crown Court on November 9 to await his sentence. Following the guilty verdicts, a judge denied him bail and warned the 51-year-old that he faces a significant custodial term. While the New Straits Times notes the maximum sentence for rape in the U.K. is life imprisonment, the Daily Times reports that Brand could receive up to eight years in prison. London police are reportedly conducting further investigations.

Brief written by urgent.news from Toronto Sun, New Straits Times, Daily Times, RTE News — 4 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.