British comedian and television star Russell Brand has been sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison after being convicted of rape and three sexual assaults involving four women.
Brand, 51, showed little emotion as Judge Joel Bennathan delivered the sentence at Southwark Crown Court in London on Monday.
The judge described him as a “sexual predator” whose fame had protected him from accountability.
He also said Brand had acted with “staggering arrogance” and shown contempt for his victims, who suffered significant and lasting harm.
Paying tribute to the courage of the women who came forward, Bennathan told the comedian that he had behaved “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, was visibly distressed in the public gallery as the 10-year, six-month sentence was announced.
As he was led to the cells, Brand told his wife, who had supported him throughout the trial, “we’ll be OK”.
A jury convicted him last week of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault involving four women between 2004 and 2009.
Victims Describe Lasting Impact
During the sentencing hearing, Brand held prayer beads and made the sign of the cross as one of his victims read her impact statement from behind a screen.
The woman, who was assaulted in a London bar in 2004, told the court that the experience had left her traumatised.
“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,” she said.
Another victim, a 21-year-old fan who was raped in 2009 after meeting Brand at one of his shows, said she had feared she would not be believed if she reported the incident.
“His fame, wealth and influence created a power imbalance which made me feel powerless,” she said, adding that the consequences of the rape had affected almost every aspect of her life.
The hearing also came amid calls for improvements to the UK’s response to sexual offences.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham pledged to pursue reforms to provide greater support for victims, including establishing specialist teams in every police force to handle rape and serious sexual offence cases.
Brand was acquitted of two other rape allegations and one count of attempted indecent assault.
However, he faces further investigations after London police confirmed they were investigating rape allegations involving two additional women.
Brand denied the charges during the trial but admitted to being “extremely promiscuous” and using his fame to “facilitate sexual access”.
From Television Fame To Criminal Conviction
Brand’s prison sentence marks a major fall for a comedian who became one of Britain’s most recognisable entertainment personalities during the 2000s.
He worked with major media organisations, including Channel 4, MTV and BBC Radio 2, where he hosted his own programme.
Born in Essex, east of London, in 1975, Brand left drama school before joining MTV at the age of 25.
He later moved into Hollywood following his marriage to American pop star Katy Perry in 2010. The marriage ended after a brief period.
Brand also became involved in political commentary and activism before reinventing himself as an online Christian personality.
The BBC apologised last week for the “culture and failings” that existed during Brand’s time at the corporation between 2006 and 2008.
He left the BBC after sending sexually explicit messages to a well-known actor about an alleged sexual encounter involving her granddaughter.
His conviction has also raised questions about the responsibility of media organisations that provided him with platforms during his entertainment career.
British Culture Minister Lisa Nandy had described the case as a “wake-up call”, warning that men in positions of power continued to exploit women in the media industry.