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Brand seemed to age 1,000 years in three weeks. At the end he looked hollowed out, his wattage dimmed, his dandy highwayman swagger just a memory: JAN MOIR
Russell Brand was found guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault after a trial at Southwark Crown Court involving allegations dating back 17 to 27 years. The case drew attention to the difficulty of prosecuting historic sexual offences, where memories may fade and evidence can be limited.
The jury, made up of eight men and four women, deliberated for two days; Brand was acquitted of two other rape charges and one charge of attempted indecent assault. The article says the trial had been expected to last six to ten weeks but concluded in just over three, and describes how Brand’s demeanour appeared to change during the proceedings.
In short
- Brand was convicted of rape and sexual assault.
- He was acquitted of three other charges.
- The case involved allegations dating back up to 27 years.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
A conviction after a fair trial can reflect the jury’s careful assessment of witness testimony and the evidence available, even when alleged offences took place many years earlier. Prosecuting historic sexual offences affirms that the passage of time alone should not prevent complainants from seeking justice, while the acquittals on other charges show that the jury considered the allegations individually.
The case against
Historic cases can be especially difficult to test because memories may fade and supporting evidence may be scarce, making a rigorous assessment of reliability and fairness essential. A defendant is entitled to the presumption of innocence and to have each allegation proved beyond reasonable doubt; the acquittals on several charges underline that the jury did not accept every allegation.