Bear Grylls, the adventurer and TV host known for โMan vs. Wild,โ has spoken out about Russell Brandโs rape and sexual assault conviction after he helped to baptize him in 2024.
Brand was found guilty on Thursday of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault in his highly publicized London criminal trial. He was acquitted of two other rape charges and one count of attempted indecent assault. Brand pleaded not guilty and has denied all allegations. After the ruling, Brand was taken into police custody to await his sentencing on Monday.
Grylls made headlines back in 2024 when he was present for Brandโs baptism in the River Thames, less than a year after the initial allegations against Brand were exposed in the Sunday Times and Channel 4โs โDispatchesโ docuseries. Brand was previously a guest on Gryllsโ show โRunning Wildโ in 2023, before the docuseries was released. After the allegations came out, Brand converted to Christianity and spoke about his religion extensively on his social media channels.
In a post on X Friday reacting to the verdict, Grylls said: โBrandโs faith seemed genuine to me at the time when I was a guest at his private baptism. I have attended a few now. Even visiting in prisons with people who have committed terrible crimes. Itโs part of our calling as men and women of faith, to love and serve anyone. It is the sick that need healing. Judgement is for the courts and Godโฆ I wouldnโt want to ever discourage someoneโs coming to faith.โ
However, he added, โIt is right that justice has now been served. I canโt imagine how hard this time has been for the victims, the heroes of the day.โ
Six women testified against Brand in the trial about alleged incidents that occurred between 1999 and 2009. After the verdict was read, the Metropolitan Police announced that they are currently investigating further rape allegations against Brand from two women.
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