A London judge has sentenced British comedian Russell Brand to 10 years and six months in prison. Brand, 51, was convicted of raping one woman and sexually assaulting three others. Judge Joel Bennathan handed down the sentence on Monday at Southwark Crown Court. Brand, who says he was baptized in the River Thames in 2024, will be placed on the sex offender register for life, according to Britain's Metropolitan Police.
What happened in court
A jury at Southwark Crown Court found Brand guilty last week of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault. The trial lasted four weeks. Jurors cleared him of two counts of rape and one count of attempted indecent assault. Brand denied all the charges and said his sexual encounters were consensual.
All four victims gave statements to the court on Monday. One woman thanked police, prosecutors and a sexual violence adviser for their support. Another said she finally felt believed. The woman Brand raped said his fame, wealth and influence left her feeling powerless. A woman assaulted in 2009 said she felt unsafe at work afterward and made sure a colleague was always with her.
The judge said Brand would likely serve about two-thirds of his sentence behind bars. He also reduced the rape term by one year, to nine years. He cited the time since the last offence and Brand's work helping people with addictions. Brand's lawyer, Ian Winter, had asked the judge to consider the effect of prison on Brand's family.
Background to the case
The crimes took place between 2004 and 2009. The rape happened at Brand's home, where he attacked a fan. The three assaults happened at a bar, at a radio station and during work on a television project. Police began their investigation in September 2023, after Channel 4's Dispatches programme and two newspapers, The Times and The Sunday Times, reported allegations against him. Detectives spoke to more than 100 witnesses and took more than 400 statements.
Police say they are still investigating allegations from two other women. Officers have questioned Brand about those claims and have sent their findings to prosecutors. Brand could face more charges if prosecutors decide to bring them. Brand was baptized in the River Thames in April 2024. He said he understood baptism as a chance to be “reborn in Christ's name.” Brand moved white rosary beads through his fingers as he listened to witness statements, Sky News reported.
What to watch
Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy urged anyone who has suffered sexual violence to come forward, no matter how long ago it happened. Prime Minister Andy Burnham praised the women who spoke out. He repeated a plan to place specialist rape and serious sexual offence teams in every police force in England and Wales by the end of 2027. Police say the investigation into the other two women will continue.
