World · Europe · 1 hr ago
Met chief says Brand conviction may prompt more abuse claims
Russell Brand was found guilty of sex attacks on four women in a UK court, including the rape of one woman in 2009.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mark Rowley says the conviction could be a turning point for people considering reporting abuse by celebrities.
Police are investigating two further rape allegations against Brand, including one involving a person who was 16 at the time of the alleged attack.
Rowley said more people may come forward, comparing the possibility to new allegations that followed the exposure of Jimmy Savile.
He also criticised defence arguments that questioned how the women reacted during the attacks or why they did not report them sooner.
Police have submitted evidence files seeking further charges, and Brand is due to be sentenced on Monday.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said Russell Brand’s conviction could encourage more people to report historic abuse allegations against celebrities.
Rowley said police are investigating two further rape allegations against Brand and that more alleged victims may come forward.
Brand was found guilty of sex attacks on four women, including the rape of a 21-year-old at his home in 2009.
Rowley criticised Brand’s defence for raising arguments he said could mislead juries about how victims respond to trauma.
Brand is due to be sentenced on Monday, according to the article.
- Who
- Russell Brand, and alleged victims who may report abuse claims against him or other celebrities.
- What
- Rowley said Brand’s conviction may prompt more historic abuse claims. Police are investigating two further rape allegations against Brand.
- When
- The comments followed Brand’s conviction on Thursday. The article was published on November 6, 2026.
- Where
- The conviction concerned attacks in Britain; one rape took place at Brand’s home.
- Why
- Rowley said seeing a powerful celebrity convicted may give others confidence to report allegations and go to court.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley
Russell Brand’s legal team
Defence arguments
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley
Rowley said the defence misrepresented how victims react to trauma and risked misleading juries.
Russell Brand’s legal team
The defence argued that the women were lying because they did not scream or flee, and questioned why they did not report the alleged attacks at the time.
Victim accounts
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley
Rowley said victims can react differently, including freezing or speaking about an assault much later.
Russell Brand’s legal team
The defence claimed journalists and police were effectively courting victims.
Brand raped a 21-year-old woman at his home, according to the article.
Brand was found guilty of sex attacks on four women.
Police said they were investigating two further rape allegations against Brand.
The Daily Mail published Rowley’s comments about the conviction potentially prompting more reports.
- Convicted
- Russell Brand was found guilty of sex attacks on four women
- Further allegations
- Two rape cases against Brand are under investigation
- Victim’s age
- 21 | One woman Brand raped at his home
- Location
- Wandsworth Prison | Brand spent his first night in solitary confinement there after his conviction
- Sentencing
- Monday | Brand was due to be sentenced then
What people are saying
I wouldn't be surprised if many, many more come forward
If you've seen somebody else powerful taken down, that may be the tipping point
The evidence is really clear – people react very differently to these traumatic situations.
And we shouldn't allow juries to be misled.