Russell Brand convicted of rape faces sentencing at court

Summarised from 3 outlets · 4 reports · Updated 9 Nov, 12:03 · Archive

Russell Brand is being sentenced today after his conviction last week for one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault.

Russell Brand, 51, is appearing at Southwark Crown Court today for sentencing after being convicted last Thursday of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault. The offences involved four women and took place between 2004 and 2009. Judge Mr Justice Bennathan remanded Brand in custody immediately after the guilty verdict and indicated he would receive a 'significant custodial term'.

Brand entered the dock this morning at about 11.10am and confirmed his identity to the judge. He mouthed 'I love you' to his wife Laura Gallacher, who was sitting in the public gallery. She replied 'I love you' and said 'oh God' as he walked into the dock. Brand told her 'It'll be OK, I don't know how, but it will.'

The courtroom was rearranged on Monday to prevent the witness box being visible to Brand, his supporters and the public gallery. The sentencing hearing will hear impact statements from Brand's victims and legal submissions before the judge passes sentence around 2pm.

Brand's conviction ends his career as a performer and entertainer. The Daily Mail reports that he applied to transfer ownership of his £5million Oxfordshire cottage to his wife Laura Gallacher six weeks before his conviction, suggesting he may have been attempting to move assets ahead of potential civil lawsuits from victims. Brand is said to be worth at least £20million, but faces significant financial exposure from civil legal proceedings expected to follow the criminal case.

Throughout the trial, Brand and his wife arrived at court in coordinated outfits, down to matching messy buns and aviator sunglasses. Behaviour experts quoted by the Daily Mail described this as a 'deliberate show of unity' that projected the image of a loyal wife and may have been a conscious attempt to influence how the jury perceived Brand.

How it is being reported

• How to watch Russell Brand sentencing liveRussell Brand's wife Laura Gallacher arrives at the court todayDaily Express · 9 Nov, 11:54
• Russell Brand says final words to wife Laura in court ahead of sentencing for rapeRussell Brand’s wife Laura Gallacher arriving at Southwark Crown Court (Picture: James Veysey/Shutterstock) Russell Brand has reassured his wife that things will ‘be OK’ while standing in the dock ahead of his sentencing today. The convicted rapist is listening to harrowing victim statements from…Metro · 9 Nov, 11:40
• Is Russell Brand moving his fortune out of his victims' reach? Rapist applied to change ownership of £5million family home just SIX weeks before his convictionThe fallen comic has applied to transfer the ownership of his £5million Oxfordshire cottage to his wife Laura Gallacher, 39, the mother of his three children, Land Registry documents suggest.Daily Mail · 8 Nov, 15:51
• Why did Laura Gallacher dress exactly like Russell Brand? Psychologists claim she 'mirrored' rapist husband in a 'show of unity' and 'shared identity' - and to 'cling to life she built with him'Every day of his rape trial, Russell Brand and his wife Laura Gallacher arrived at Southwark Crown Court looking perfectly coordinated - from their outfits down to their messy buns.Daily Mail · 8 Nov, 12:49

In this story: Russell Brand · Laura Gallacher · Southwark Crown Court · Mr Justice Bennathan · Oxfordshire

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