British comedian and actor Russell Brand has been sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison after being found guilty of rape and three counts of sexual assault. The sentence was handed down at Southwark Crown Court in London on Monday, 9 November.
Judge Joel Bennathan described Brand as a “sexual predator” who had told a “series of lies” and shown “staggering arrogance”. The judge said Brand had treated women with a casual and arrogant disregard when they refused him.
Brand, 51, was convicted last week following a four-week trial. The jury found him guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault involving four women. The offences took place between 2004 and 2009, when Brand was building his profile as a , television presenter and actor.
He was acquitted of two other rape charges and one charge of attempted indecent assault. He had denied all the charges, telling the court that he had been promiscuous but had never engaged in non-consensual sexual activity.
The judge said Brand would have to serve two-thirds of his sentence in prison before becoming eligible for release on licence. That means he is expected to spend around seven years in custody, subject to the terms of his sentence and release arrangements. He will also remain on the ’ register for life.
Brand was once one of Britain’s most recognisable comedians and television personalities. Born in Essex in 1975, he began his career as a stand-up comedian before moving into television and radio. His outspoken style, long hair and often provocative humour made him a familiar face in British entertainment during the 2000s.
He presented shows for MTV and Channel 4, including Big Brother’s Big Mouth, and hosted programmes on . He later moved into Hollywood, appearing in films such as Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Get Him to the Greek and Rock of Ages. He also wrote the memoir My Booky Wook, published in 2007.
Brand was also known for his relationship with singer Katy Perry. The couple married in 2010 and separated in 2011. He later married Laura Gallacher in 2017, and they have three children.
In the years that followed, Brand moved away from mainstream television and film towards online content. He built a large audience through videos and podcasts in which he discussed , religion, addiction, wellness and conspiracy theories. He also became a controversial figure for his views on established media and public institutions.
The sentencing hearing also heard statements from the four women involved in the case. Their identities cannot be published because they are entitled to anonymity.
The woman Brand raped in 2009 told the court that she was still “living with trauma” and carried the effects of the attack every day. She also spoke about fearing that she might have contracted after the incident.
Another woman said she had been left “in shock and turmoil” and had lost respect for herself. A third described feeling powerless at the time of the assault. One victim called Brand a “sexual predator who has no remorse”.
Brand’s wife, Laura Brand, was in court when the sentence was announced. As he was led away by officers, he told her, “We’ll be okay.” She replied, “I love you.” The couple have three children together.
Senior Crown Prosecutor David Roberts said the case showed that fame and status did not change the importance of . He described Brand as a “manipulative sexual predator” who used his growing public profile and influence to create situations in which he could pursue women without regard for what they wanted.
Roberts also praised the four women for coming forward. He said they did not know one another and had carried the impact of the offences for almost two decades.
Brand faced seven charges in total: three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of attempted indecent assault. The jury found him guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault. He was cleared of the remaining three charges.
The offences for which he was convicted took place between 2004 and 2009. They included the of a woman at a London bar, an assault involving a woman at a radio station, the rape of a woman at his home and another sexual assault during an advertising recording. The incidents took place while Brand was gaining fame as a comedian and broadcaster.
The said the investigation was extensive, particularly because the allegations were made years after the incidents. Detectives spoke to more than 100 witnesses, took over 400 witness statements and reviewed more than 1,400 documents.
They also examined hundreds of hours of Brand’s television appearances, stand-up performances, interviews and podcasts to help establish timelines and test accounts.
Brand became one of Britain’s most recognisable comedians and television personalities during the 2000s. He presented shows including Big Brother’s Big Mouth and worked in radio before moving into Hollywood films. His credits include Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Get Him to the Greek and Arthur. He was also married to singer between 2010 and 2012.
In recent years, Brand built an online following through videos and commentary on subjects including wellness, politics, religion and conspiracy theories. He has also spoken publicly about his past struggles with drug and alcohol addiction and his conversion to .
The case is not the end of the police investigations involving Brand. The Metropolitan Police has confirmed that detectives are continuing to investigate rape allegations made by two other women. No charges have been announced in those cases so far.
