Russell Brand is being investigated over two new rape complaints, police say

More victims of disgraced comedian Russell Brand are likely to come forward now that he has been found guilty of rape and sexual assault, 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. Brand has been found guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault by a jury of eight men and four women at Southwark Crown Court, following a three-week trial.

He was found not guilty of two counts of rape and one count of attempted indecent assault. Brand had initially been coy and quiet in police interviews, said Furphy, but became bolder as officers continued to question him. "As he gets used to something, he becomes more emboldened by it," Furphy said.

"You can certainly see that in his offending." Hundreds of people were interviewed as part of the investigation and officers said several witnesses came forward, some of whom had previously had a sexual relationship with Brand.