More women are likely to come forward with allegations against Russell Brand following his conviction for rape and sexual assault, the detective who led the investigation has said.

Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy of the Metropolitan Police expressed hope that the guilty verdicts would give other victims the courage to speak out.

Brand, 51, was found guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault by a jury at Southwark Crown Court after a three-week trial. He was acquitted of two counts of rape and one count of attempted indecent assault.

The court heard that Brand, once one of the UK's most high-profile entertainers, was described as "ruthless" and a "sexual predator". Some of the women said they had been "haunted for years" by his actions.

The allegations first surfaced in September 2023 when The Times, The Sunday Times and Channel 4's Dispatches programme jointly reported that four women had accused Brand of rape, sexual assault and emotional abuse. Brand strongly denied the claims.

Following the media reports, the Metropolitan Police launched Operation Actinolite, a dedicated investigation into the allegations. Officers took more than 340 witness statements, including from Brand's former employers, colleagues and associates. One officer was assigned to read Brand's books, watch his stand-up routines and listen to his podcasts to help build the case.

Det Supt Furphy said the investigation faced challenges, particularly because the allegations were non-recent, with the earliest dating back 27 years. This meant there was no CCTV or forensic evidence. Instead, police focused on where the victims were at the time, who they spoke to in the aftermath, and other available material that could lend weight to the case.

Brand was interviewed under caution four times. In each interview, he provided a prepared statement denying the allegations and answered "no comment" to officers' questions. He was charged in April 2025 with one count of rape, one count of oral rape, two charges of sexual assault and one allegation of indecent assault. The final charge was later changed to attempted indecent assault. He pleaded not guilty to all charges.

In July 2025, Brand was charged with further offences: one count of rape and one count of sexual assault. He also denied those allegations.

The trial began on 14 October 2026 at Southwark Crown Court. The women gave evidence from behind a screen, with Brand listening from the dock. At times, they cried while testifying.

Det Supt Furphy praised the women for their bravery during what he described as a "deeply uncomfortable" process. "They are courageous, determined women and our focus has always been on them, not Russell Brand," he said.

He added that he believes more women may now come forward. "I think it's likely - potentially - that other women will come forward," he said. "They'll probably gain some courage and some confidence from what's happened in the courtroom over the last few weeks."

Brand is also being investigated over further rape allegations made by two women, it can now be reported.

Background

Russell Brand rose to fame as a comedian and broadcaster, becoming one of the UK's most recognizable entertainers. He was married to US singer Katy Perry from 2010 to 2012. Perry was not interviewed by police as part of the investigation.

The case has drawn widespread attention and sparked a national conversation about sexual violence and the treatment of women in the entertainment industry.