Russell Brand sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison for rape and sexual assault
British comedian and actor Russell Brand was sentenced in London on Monday to 10 years and six months in prison for rape and sexual assault. He maintains his innocence, while police are investigating rape allegations from two other women.
British comedian and actor Russell Brand was sentenced on Monday, 9 November, to 10 years and six months in prison for rape and sexual assault by Southwark Crown Court in London. The sentence follows a four-week trial in which a jury unanimously found him guilty on Thursday of four sexual offences against four women.
What he was convicted of
The verdicts cover one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault, committed between 2005 and 2009 in different locations. Brand was cleared of two other counts of rape and one count of attempted indecent assault.
Brand has claimed he is innocent and that all of his encounters were consensual. The case may not be over for him: London police have said they are looking into rape allegations made by two other women.
Words from the judge and prosecution
Judge Joel Bennathan told Brand that about 20 years ago he was becoming famous, was clever and, in many people's eyes, funny and charismatic, but had also become a sexual predator. Prosecutor Riel Karmy-Jones said Brand abused the influence and power that came with his fame to gain access to women, and that this fed his own belief that he could offend with impunity.
Statements from the women
One of the women he was convicted of abusing spoke in court out of view to protect her identity. She said the assault left her in shock and made her feel like "damaged goods". Another, a former fan whom he was convicted of raping, said it took her years to speak up because she feared she would not be believed. She said his fame, wealth and influence created a power imbalance that left her feeling powerless.
Brand's wife, Laura Gallacher, with whom he has three children and who supported him throughout the trial, slumped in her seat in the public gallery as the sentence was read out. As he was led down to the cells, Brand told her "we'll be OK". He had been free during the trial but was jailed after Thursday's verdict. He is expected to serve two-thirds of the sentence in prison.
