Met Police boss ‘wouldn’t be surprised’ if more allegations made about Brand

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Met Police boss ‘wouldn’t be surprised’ if more allegations made about Brand

Russell Brand arriving at Southwark Crown Court, London on Thursday. He is wearing sunglasses and a suit jacket and shirtImage source, PA
ByHelena Wilkinson

News correspondent
  • Published

The head of the Metropolitan Police has said he “wouldn’t be surprised” if more people came forward to make allegations about Russell Brand.

Sir Mark Rowley also said that what he heard reported from Brand’s trial at Southwark Crown Court came very close to “victim blaming”.

On Thursday, the entertainer and comedian was found guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault.

He was acquitted of two other rape charges and one allegation of attempted indecent assault. The 51-year-old will be sentenced on Monday.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley making a statement outside Wood Green Crown Court, London in SeptemberImage source, PA

Speaking to the BBC on Friday, Sir Mark said that he “wouldn’t be surprised if more people came forward” about Brand and said there were “two ongoing rape investigations” into him.

Brand has already been interviewed under caution in relation to those allegations.

In his interview Sir Mark praised the “bravery” of the women who came forward to tell “their story” to the police and during the trial.

“That’s a real challenge for anyone having gone through something so ghastly and you have to admire them.”

The head of the Met also said that whilst Brand’s case “may look different because it’s about celebrity, the majority of sex offending is about people abusing power”, adding that victims will be believed.

“We will do everything we can to bring to justice the powerful person who are responsible for probably the most ghastly moment in your life.”, he said.

It was put to Sir Mark during the interview that Brand’s defence barrister “told jurors none of the complainants had in his words said ‘resisted, screamed or even tried to leave’.

Sir Mark said that what he heard reported from the trial was “very close to victim blaming”.

Asked whether he would support the Victim’s Commissioner’s call for a legal duty in the Courts and Tribunals Bill that would require judges to direct juries on rape myths and misconceptions in every rape trial.

He said he would “strongly support” that call, adding: “It shouldn’t be possible for inaccurate statements to be made to a jury to suggest that because a rape victim didn’t behave in one way that somehow undermines their case.”

Brand was refused bail following his conviction on Thursday and will now spend the weekend in custody before he is due to return to the same court on Monday for sentencing.

He is expected to face a substantial prison sentence.

Once the trial was over, it was reported that Brand is also facing further rape allegations made by two women and has already been questioned by officers in relation to the complaints. The Metropolitan Police said its investigation “remains ongoing”.

During the trial, Brand faced allegations from six women spanning the decade between 1999 and 2009, when he rose to fame as one of Britain’s most high-profile entertainers.

The women came to court to reveal how Brand used his immense fame to force them into sexual activity.

Brand, who told his wife Laura Brand “I love you” after entering the dock, displayed no emotion as the jury delivered its verdicts.

Afterwards he mouthed “I’m good, I’m good” to his defence counsel as he left the dock. His walk was steadily paced, and he continued to show little emotion.

The judge, Mr Justice Bennathan, told Brand to expect “a significant custodial term” after the verdicts were delivered.

More victims are likely to come forward following his conviction, the detective who led the police investigation has said.

Det Supt Andy Furphy, from the Metropolitan Police, said he hoped other women would gain “courage” and “confidence” from the guilty verdicts.

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