Judge to set Brand's prison term Monday
The comedian was found guilty on four counts of sexual assault and rape during a trial that lasted four weeks.
By Harper Collins ·
Judge Joel Bennathan will determine Russell Brand's prison sentence on Monday, following a verdict delivered Thursday at Southwark Crown Court. The 51-year-old comedian was found guilty on three counts of sexual assault and one count of rape.
The guilty verdicts stem from incidents that occurred between 2004 and 2009. The court found that Brand raped a woman who attended one of his comedy shows in 2009. He also sexually assaulted three other women during that period. The assaults took place in a bar, a radio station, and a TV studio.
The jury acquitted Brand on three other charges, including two counts of rape and one count of attempted indecent assault. The trial examined seven historic charges brought forward by six different women. Brand denied all charges, stating that he never had sex without consent.
After the verdict, Judge Bennathan told Brand he faces a significant custodial term. Brand's lawyer asked the judge to grant bail so the comedian could spend the weekend with his three children. The judge denied the request. Brand spent his first weekend in a London prison cell.
Crime commentator Danny Shaw noted that the average sentence for rape in the UK is 10 years. Shaw estimated Brand is likely to receive between four and 13 years in prison. The maximum sentence for rape in the UK is life.
London police detective Andy Furphy said Brand used his influence, status, and fame to prey on women. Furphy added that as Brand's profile grew, his sense of entitlement grew as well. Camilla Long, a journalist for The Sunday Times, described hearing the trial testimony as one of the most disgusting experiences of her life. She questioned how Brand avoided scrutiny for so long, noting that he loudly declared his behavior while being ignored.
Brand faced similar allegations in the United States in 2023. A woman identified as Jane Doe accused him of sexually assaulting her while she worked as a film extra on the 2010 movie Arthur. Brand married pop star Katy Perry that year, but the couple divorced just over a year later.
