Russell Brand guilty verdict live: ‘Predatory’ comedian told he faces long prison sentence after rape conviction

The jury has returned after almost two days of deliberations to deliver its verdict on a string of rape and sexual assault charges faced by Russell Brand.

The comedian and actor, 51, is on trial at Southwark Crown Court and denies three charges of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of attempted indecent assault against six women, in allegations spanning 10 years from 1999 to 2009.

Alleged victims say Brand switched suddenly after appearing charming, forced them into sexual activity in a toilet, a hotel room, workplace corridors and his bedroom, and acted as if nothing had happened after the attacks.

Brand’s lawyer, Ian Winter KC said that public opinion against the comedian has been “perverted and corrupted” after the publication of an article in The Times and The Sunday Times, and in an episode of Channel 4 Dispatches.

Brand’s wife Laura Brand, nee Gallacher, attended the court on several occasions and gave evidence in which she described her husband as “caring” and “kind” and said that is honesty at the centre of their marriage.

Breaking: Jury reaches verdict in Russell Brand trial

The jury in the trial of Russell Brand has returned a verdict after almost two days of deliberations.

The comedian and actor, 51, is on trial at Southwark Crown Court and denies three charges of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of attempted indecent assault against six women, in allegations spanning 10 years from 1999 to 2009.