Crimeupdated 1h ago3 min read
MapRussell Brand Sentenced to 10 Years, 6 Months for Rape and Sexual Assault
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Brand convicted of one rape and three sexual assaults in London trial. Sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison by Southwark Crown Court.
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Conviction and sentence in London
A British court sentenced actor and comedian Russell Brand to 10 years and 6 months in prison after a jury found him guilty of four sexual crimes, including rape and sexual assault. The sentencing took place at Southwark Crown Court in London, where Judge Joel Bennathan described Brand as a “sexual predator” during the sentencing. The court heard that a jury of eight men and four women found Brand guilty of raping one of his fans at his home in 2009 and of sexually assaulting a woman at a public event in 2004 and another woman at a London radio station in 2004 or 2005.
The court also found him guilty of a third sexual assault on a woman during a 2009 commercial shoot, and it acquitted him of two other rape charges and a charge of attempted indecent assault. NBC News reported that the jury found Brand guilty last Thursday of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault, while Brand maintained his innocence and denied having any sexual relations without consent.
Judge’s remarks and Brand’s denial
Judge Joel Bennathan said Brand had “staggering arrogance” and believed that “fame meant you could act how you liked, when you liked,” as the sentence was delivered in Southwark Crown Court in South London.
Prosecutor Riel Karmy-Jones told the court that “Mr. Brand abused the influence and power that came with his fame,” and said he used it to facilitate access to women.
Brand showed little emotion during the rebuke and turned to mouth the words “we’ll be OK” to his wife after he stood up and was led away by court officers.
Brand denied all allegations and told the jury that “Consent is fundamental, essential, necessary, and in many ways more important than the sex itself,” while his lawyer Ian Winter urged the judge to consider Brand’s good character.
The jury found Brand guilty of attacking four of six accusers, and it cleared him of two counts of rape and one count of attempted indecent assault.
Ongoing investigations and impact
London police said investigators provided the Crown Prosecution Service with results of investigations into two additional rape allegations attributed to Russell Brand following the verdict in the current case. CBS News reported that the London judge rejected Brand’s request to be released on bail to spend time with his wife and children before Monday’s hearing, and it said Brand remained in custody ahead of sentencing. Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy said the sentence marked “a significant milestone in our investigation and means Russell Brand has been held accountable for his crimes,” and he praised the women’s “immense bravery, dignity and resilience.”
The sentencing remarks also included the judge’s warning that he had to be careful not to punish Brand more “because you are famous,” and the judge paid tribute to the “determination and bravery” of the women who testified. Brand’s wife Laura arrived at court as he faced sentencing, and the court heard that Brand had been convicted of raping one woman in 2009 and sexually assaulting three others.