Russell Brand faces investigation over two more rape allegations
Detectives urge more possible victims to come forward after a guilty verdict. Files on two new complaints have been sent to prosecutors.
Key points
- A jury at Southwark Crown Court convicted Brand of raping one woman and sexually assaulting three others
- He is under investigation for two further rape allegations, according to the Metropolitan Police
- Case files on both new complaints have been passed to the Crown Prosecution Service
- Police say more victims may come forward, and a civil claim has been filed in London
- Jurors acquitted Brand of two rape charges and one attempted indecent assault charge
Police investigating Russell Brand say he is under investigation for two further rape allegations. According to the Guardian, the lead detective in the case has urged other possible victims to contact officers. The Metropolitan Police said files on both complaints have been passed to the Crown Prosecution Service.
The news follows a guilty verdict at Southwark Crown Court. A jury found Brand, 51, responsible for raping one woman and sexually assaulting three others over five years. Jurors acquitted him of two rape charges and an attempted indecent assault charge after a trial that lasted several weeks.
Read also: Russell Brand convicted over rape and sexual assault charges
Detectives expect more complaints
Det Supt Andy Furphy, the Metropolitan Police lead on the case, said he believed more people may now come forward. He said a conviction often gives others the confidence to report what happened to them. Furphy also described Brand as a predator whose behaviour grew worse as his fame increased.
The Met said Brand was interviewed under caution about the two new allegations, which were made by two women. A spokesperson said detectives remain in close contact with prosecutors while inquiries continue. The BBC reported that a couple of other women made allegations during the investigation, but these did not lead to charges.
A civil claim and past allegations
Separately, Brand faces a civil claim at the High Court in London. It accuses him of sexually assaulting a woman at his Los Angeles home in 2008. Pre-trial legal documents also suggested outstanding charges linked to a woman who spoke in a Channel 4 Dispatches documentary in 2023.
Allegations about Brand first emerged in September 2023. The Times, the Sunday Times and Dispatches jointly reported claims from four women, which Brand strongly denied. Police said those reports led to a wider inquiry, known as Operation Actinolite.
How the investigation was carried out
The Met says the inquiry involved more than 100 witnesses, more than 1,400 documents and over 340 statements. Some witnesses were former employers, colleagues and associates of Brand. Officers also reviewed his books, stand-up routines and podcasts as part of their work.
Many of the allegations were described as non-recent, and the earliest dated back 27 years. Police said there was no CCTV or forensic evidence in many cases, so they examined other material. Furphy said the team looked at where the women were at the time and who they spoke to afterwards.
Why the case matters
The case has drawn wide attention because Brand was once one of the most high-profile entertainers in the UK. Police say the verdict may encourage others to speak up. Furphy urged anyone affected who has not yet contacted police to do so, saying specially trained officers will listen and support them.
Frequently asked questions
What is Russell Brand being investigated for?
According to the Metropolitan Police, Brand is under investigation for two further rape allegations made by two women. Case files on both complaints have gone to the Crown Prosecution Service, the Met said.
What was Brand convicted of?
A jury at Southwark Crown Court convicted Brand of raping one woman and sexually assaulting three others. He was acquitted of two rape charges and one attempted indecent assault charge.
Are more victims expected to come forward?
The lead detective, Det Supt Andy Furphy, said he believed there could be more victims. He urged anyone affected who has not yet spoken to police to contact them.
Sources
- The Guardian: Police investigating two further rape allegations against Russell Brand
- BBC News: Russell Brand is being investigated over two new rape complaints, police say
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