Russell Brand to be sentenced for rape and sexual assault

Summarised from 5 outlets · 7 reports · Updated 9 Nov, 08:38 · Archive

Russell Brand is being sentenced today after being convicted of raping one woman and sexually assaulting three others.

Russell Brand, 51, is being sentenced today after being convicted of one rape and three counts of sexual assault at Southwark Crown Court. The offences took place between 2004 and 2009, during the height of Brand's fame as a comedian, television and radio host and Hollywood actor.

Brand was found guilty of raping a 21-year-old fan he met after a stand-up show at the Hammersmith Apollo in 2009. He was also convicted of sexually assaulting a Capital Radio worker in 2005 and a Channel 4 worker in 2009. Brand was found guilty of groping an MTV worker at a Soho bar party in 2004, but was found not guilty of orally raping her in a toilet.

The convictions followed a four-week trial at Southwark Crown Court. Mr Justice Bennathan ordered Brand to begin his prison sentence immediately after the guilty verdicts were delivered on Thursday afternoon and warned that he should expect a lengthy custodial sentence.

During the trial, Brand described his life as 'promiscuous' and 'full of idiocy', and claimed all sexual encounters were consensual. He denied any criminal wrongdoing. Victims, however, described a different pattern of behaviour, painting Brand as a powerful man who kissed and groped women moments after meeting them, pursued sexual encounters aggressively, and later dismissed or ridiculed them for objecting.

Today, the judge will hear victim impact statements and legal submissions from both prosecution and defence before passing sentence. Brand's wife, Laura Gallacher, left court in tears after the guilty verdicts. Brand was last seen mouthing 'I'm OK' to his lawyers before being led to the cells.

Brand is understood to be held on remand at HMP Wandsworth. On Saturday, 7 November, emergency services attended the prison, with three ambulances, two ambulance cars and fire crews called at around 9.46am. The nature of the incident was not disclosed and no official link was made to Brand's presence at the prison.

How it is being reported

• Russell Brand: What sentence is he facing and in which prison will he serve it?The convicted rapist has been told to expect a lengthy prison sentenceEvening Standard · 9 Nov, 08:16
• Russell Brand to be sentenced today for rape and sexual assaultRussell Brand will be sentenced on November 9 after being convicted of rape and sexual assault at Southwark Crown Court. He faces a lengthy prison term.This Is Local London · 9 Nov, 07:12
• Russell Brand to be sentenced today for rape and sexual assaultRussell Brand will be sentenced on November 9 after being convicted of rape and sexual assault at Southwark Crown Court. He faces a lengthy prison term.Wandsworth Guardian · 9 Nov, 07:12
• Russell Brand to be sentenced today for rape and sexual assaultRussell Brand will be sentenced on November 9 after being convicted of rape and sexual assault at Southwark Crown Court. He faces a lengthy prison term.News Shopper · 9 Nov, 07:12
• Russell Brand to be sentenced today for rape and sexual assaultRussell Brand will be sentenced on November 9 after being convicted of rape and sexual assault at Southwark Crown Court. He faces a lengthy prison term.Croydon Guardian · 9 Nov, 07:12
• Russell Brand to be sentenced for rape and sexual assaultsShamed star will find out how long he must serve behind barsEvening Standard · 9 Nov, 07:06
• Emergency crews rush to prison where Russell Brand is reportedly being heldEmergency services attend HMP Wandsworth on November 7, where Russell Brand is held on remand after rape and sexual assault convictions; no link confirmed.This Is Local London · 7 Nov, 14:46

In this story: Russell Brand · Southwark Crown Court · Mr Justice Bennathan · Laura Gallacher · HMP Wandsworth · Hammersmith Apollo

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log