British comedian and actor Russell Brand was found guilty of rape and three counts of sexual assault Thursday following a four-week trial at Southwark Crown Court in London. The 51-year-old entertainer was taken into custody after the verdicts and is scheduled to be sentenced Monday.

A jury convicted Brand of one count of rape and three sexual assaults involving four women. He was acquitted of two additional rape charges and one count of attempted indecent assault. The allegations presented at trial involved six women and spanned several years of Brand's entertainment career.

After the verdicts, Justice Bennathan told Brand that his convictions would inevitably result in a significant prison sentence. The judge rejected a request to release him on bail until sentencing, citing concerns that he might not return to court. Brand will remain in custody over the weekend.

Brand had denied the allegations, maintaining that the sexual encounters were consensual or that the accounts had been misrepresented. During the trial, he argued that some incidents had been "reimagined" or unfairly reframed following the publication of allegations against him in 2023.

Prosecutors portrayed Brand as a calculated sexual predator who used his growing fame and influence to exploit women. They argued that his behavior involved manipulating situations to pursue sexual encounters regardless of whether the women involved consented.

Senior Crown Prosecutor David Roberts said Brand used his celebrity status to commit sexual crimes and described him as a manipulator who disregarded the impact of his actions. Metropolitan Police Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy also said Brand had used his influence, status and fame to exploit women, adding that his sense of entitlement grew alongside his public profile.

The convictions stem from incidents between 2004 and 2009, when Brand was establishing himself as one of Britain's most recognizable television and radio personalities. He rose to international prominence through stand-up comedy, broadcasting and film roles, including appearances in "Get Him to the Greek" and "Arthur." He was also previously married to pop singer Katy Perry.

The investigation began after allegations against Brand were made public in September 2023 through a Channel 4 documentary and reporting by The Times and The Sunday Times. Police subsequently gathered evidence from more than 100 witnesses, collected hundreds of statements and reviewed thousands of documents as they built the case.

The Metropolitan Police said its investigation remains ongoing, with detectives also pursuing two additional rape allegations involving other women. Police have urged anyone who may have experienced sexual violence involving Brand to come forward.

Brand is expected to return to Southwark Crown Court on Monday, November 9, for sentencing. The rape conviction carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment under British law, although the actual punishment will be determined by the judge based on the offenses and circumstances of the case.