Katherine Ryan Says Brand Verdict Brings Grief and Relief

Ryan spoke about the verdict on her podcast, saying the case had left her emotionally unsettled and that she was struck by the women who came forward despite Brand’s celebrity and following. “There’s a level of relief, but there’s grief alongside relief,” she said.

The jury convicted Brand on a rape charge and three sexual-assault charges after a four-week trial at Southwark Crown Court. Jurors acquitted him on two additional rape allegations and an indecent-assault charge. Brand denied engaging in sexual activity without consent.

Ryan had previously described confronting an unnamed male comedian over alleged predatory conduct while working on Comedy Central’s Roast Battle in 2018. Deadline identified Brand as the man she had challenged, and said her on-camera jokes about him were left out of the UK broadcast. Ryan later recounted that Brand objected to being targeted and that the channel intervened; he was eventually replaced by Jonathan Ross.

In her podcast comments, Ryan said the verdict offered some justice while underscoring the lasting harm for those who had been hurt. Brand is due to be sentenced on November 9 and faces a significant prison term.