Russell Brand has been sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison after being convicted of rape and sexual assault in a London court. Judge Bennathan told the court on Monday that Brand had “committed sexual offenses against a number of women,” and said reducing the sentences would “not do justice to the overall gravity” of his conduct.
The 51-year-old comedian and broadcaster was found guilty last week of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault. He had denied all charges and was acquitted of two further rape counts and one count of attempted indecent assault. He was taken into custody immediately after the verdict, according to the BBC.
Brand had faced three counts of rape, three of sexual assault and one of attempted indecent assault, involving six women over a period between 1999 and 2009.
One of the women he was convicted of assaulting gave an impact statement at Monday’s sentencing, speaking out of view of the courtroom to protect her identity.
“For many years as his star was rising it was impossible to escape seeing him all over the media, being celebrated for his disgusting behavior against women like it was all a joke,” she said. “There were many times I felt visibly sick at the sight of him parading around thinking he can get away with anything.”
Three other women submitted written statements, read to the court by prosecutor Riel Karmy-Jones. One described the lasting effect of an assault Brand was convicted of carrying out at a London radio station in 2005.
“Since the sexual assault … Russell Brand has managed to move on and even forget,” she wrote. “Over the years, hearing his voice on television, on social media or seeing his image made me jump.”
During the trial, Brand acknowledged being “reckless” and using his public profile to pursue sexual relationships, but maintained the encounters were consensual, telling the jury that consent was “fundamental, essential and necessary.” He has consistently denied forcing any of the women into sexual activity against their will.
Prosecutors said the alleged offenses took place across a decade at a hotel, a bar, a radio station, a workplace and Brand’s own home. The Metropolitan Police began investigating after allegations were made public by Channel 4 and The Sunday Times in September 2023, following a joint investigation by the two outlets that included a lengthy article and a documentary, “Russell Brand: In Plain Sight,” featuring anonymous accounts of physical and emotional abuse, bullying and sexual assault.
Police interview footage released this month showed Brand defending his history during questioning by the Metropolitan Police in December 2023, when he read a prepared statement alongside his lawyer.
“As I’ve repeatedly stated publicly … I led a very promiscuous life in the past, which I’ve spent years openly denouncing. I’ve never engaged in nonconsensual sexual activity,” Brand told detectives, also calling the 2023 media investigation “defamatory and fictitious.”
In a video posted to social media last year after the charges were announced, Brand thanked supporters and criticized the British government and legal system before addressing the allegations directly.
“I was a fool before I lived in the light of the Lord. I was a drug addict, a sex addict and an imbecile, but what I never was was a rapist. I’ve never engaged in nonconsensual activity. I pray that you can see that by looking in my eyes,” he said, adding that he was “incredibly grateful” for the chance to defend himself in court.
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