Russell Brand Convicted of Rape: Fame, Power and the Evidence

Russell Brand has been convicted of rape and three counts of sexual assault following a four-week trial at Southwark Crown Court. But beyond the headlines, the case raises troubling questions about celebrity, institutional responsibility and the challenges of investigating sexual offences years after they occurred. In this episode of Crime Time Inc., former senior Scottish detectives Simon McLean and Tom Wood examine the case from a policing and investigative perspective. How did Metropolitan Police detectives build a successful prosecution involving allegations dating back many years? What role did independent witness accounts, historical records and circumstantial evidence play? And why do powerful public figures sometimes appear able to escape scrutiny for so long? Simon and Tom discuss: The investigation: How detectives reconstructed historical events and brought together evidence from separate complainants. Celebrity and institutional responsibility: Whether broadcasters, employers and the entertainment industry have been too willing to overlook unacceptable behaviour by high-profile personalities. The challenges facing victims: Why women may fear reporting sexual offences, particularly when the alleged perpetrator holds significant professional or social power. Rape myths and consent: Why the absence of physical resistance does not establish consent, and how misconceptions about victim behaviour can influence criminal proceedings. The law and policing: How the investigation and prosecution of sexual offences have changed over the decades, including a discussion of Scottish rape law. Sentencing: Recorded before the sentencing hearing, Simon and Tom give their predictions about the prison sentence Brand might receive. Drawing on decades of policing experience, they offer a frank discussion of evidence, consent, power and accountability. Post-recording update — 9 November 2026 This conversation was recorded on Sunday, 8 November 2026, before Russell Brand was sentenced. On Monday, 9 November, Brand was sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison. The jury had convicted him of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault. He was acquitted of three other charges. About Crime Time Inc. Hosted by former senior Scottish police officers Tom Wood and Simon McLean, Crime Time Inc. takes listeners behind the headlines, drawing on real investigative experience to examine criminal cases, policing and the justice system. Visit: https://crimetimeinc.com Content advisory: This episode includes discussions of rape, sexual assault, victim experiences and descriptions of sexual violence. Listener discretion is advised. Books by Simon McLean & Tom Wood Discover the books written by Crime Time Inc.'s hosts, including true crime, undercover policing, historical investigations and crime fiction. View all their books and where to buy them: https://crimetimeinc.com/books About Crime Time Inc. Season 5 of Crime Time Inc. broadens its reach across two sides of the Atlantic. This season features cases from Scotland and across the wider UK — rooted in real investigative experience — alongside deep dives into some of the most infamous murder cases in American history. Hosted by former detectives Simon and Tom, with experience in both the UK and the United States, including time working alongside the FBI, the show strips away sensationalism to explain how crime and justice really work. Two crime worlds. One podcast. New episodes released regularly throughout the season. Our Website: https://crimetimeinc.com/ If you like this show please leave a review. It really helps us. Please help us improve our Podcast by completing this survey. http://bit.ly/crimetimeinc-survey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.