- Judge Joel Bennathan told Brand he had acted with "staggering arrogance" and shown "contempt" for his victims, who had suffered significant and lasting harm.
- The judge paid tribute to the "bravery" of the women who came forward, telling Brand he had acted "how you liked and when you liked, unhindered by the rules by which decent people live".
- Brand's wife Laura Gallacher, with whom he has three children, slumped in her seat in the public gallery of London's Southwark Crown Court as the sentence was announced.
- Brand, who had been free during the trial, was jailed following Thursday's verdict.
- The accusers came forward after a 2023 investigation by The Times and Channel 4 that aired accounts of sexual abuse and degradation.
- Judge Joel Bennathan told Brand that he showed a casual and arrogant disregard for women and that Brand had become a sexual predator.
- Prosecutor Riel Karmy-Jones said Brand abused the influence and power that came with his fame, which facilitated access to women and fed his belief he could offend with impunity.
- One victim said she was left "traumatised" by the assault in a London bar in 2004, and that "for many years as his star was rising it was impossible to escape seeing him all over the media, being celebrated for his disgusting behaviour against women like it was all a joke".
- A second victim, a 21-year-old fan he raped in 2009 after they met at one of his shows, told the court she felt she would "not be believed", and that "his fame, wealth and influence created a power imbalance which made me feel powerless".
- One victim described feeling like damaged goods after a 2004 assault at a London bar, and another victim of an anal rape in 2009 said she felt powerless due to his fame and wealth.
- Victims describe lifelong trauma, including loss of self-worth, shame, and anxiety lasting over 20 years.
- The lasting impact includes hypervigilance, adverse reactions to Brand’s voice, and difficulties in relationships.
Russell Brand, 51, was sentenced to 10.5 years in prison after being convicted of raping one woman and sexually assaulting three others during a period when his fame was rising. Judge Joel Bennathan described Brand as a "sexual predator" who acted with "staggering arrogance" and "contempt" for his victims.
The judge emphasized the lasting harm inflicted on the victims, stating they suffered significant trauma. One victim recounted feeling "damaged goods" after being assaulted in a London bar in 2004, while another described the power imbalance created by Brand's fame, which made her feel "powerless".
Prosecutor Riel Karmy-Jones noted that Brand abused his celebrity status to gain access to women, facilitating his offenses. The jury found him guilty of attacking four out of six accusers, with allegations dating back to 2004. Brand was cleared of two other alleged rapes and one count of attempted indecent assault.
Following a 2023 investigation by The Times and Channel 4, more women have come forward with allegations against Brand, prompting further police inquiries. The judge's remarks highlighted the cultural issues surrounding Brand's behavior, which had been celebrated in the media for years, despite the serious nature of his actions.
Victims expressed their struggles with the aftermath of the assaults, including anxiety, trauma, and the fear of not being believed. One victim stated, "His fame, wealth and influence created a power imbalance which made me feel powerless." The case has sparked discussions about accountability and the treatment of sexual assault victims in the public eye.
“Judge Joel Bennathan praised the 'bravery' of the women who testified, telling Brand he acted 'unhindered by the rules by which decent people live.' Brand's wife Laura Gallacher slumped in her seat in Southwark Crown Court as the sentence was announced.”
The Guardian
