Russell Brand found guilty of rape and sexual assault
Summarised from 5 outlets · 7 reports · Updated 7 Nov, 14:20 · Archive
Russell Brand was convicted of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault at Southwark Crown Court.
Russell Brand, 51, was found guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault at Southwark Crown Court on Thursday. He was acquitted of two further counts of rape and one of attempted indecent assault. The judge warned that Brand faces a significant prison sentence and remanded him in custody ahead of sentencing on Monday.
Brand's wife Laura Gallacher, 39, was present throughout the nearly four-week trial. She is a blogger, author and illustrator, and the daughter of former Ryder Cup golfer Bernard Gallacher and sister of television presenter Kirsty Gallacher. The couple married in 2017 and have three children together. They moved to Florida in 2024.
When the verdicts were announced, Brand turned to his wife and said: 'Laura, I love you.' Gallacher was visibly distressed as the guilty verdicts were delivered, reportedly sinking into her seat and becoming tearful as her husband was led away by prison officers. She had to be held up by a security guard while leaving court. Brand's barrister subsequently asked that he be granted bail to say goodbye to his wife and children, describing it as an 'act of humanity', but the judge refused.
Gallacher gave evidence during the trial in her husband's defence. According to friends quoted by The Sun and The Mirror, she has told people close to her that she believes Brand is innocent and remains 'resolutely loyal' to him. The reports state that she is considering moving back to the UK from Florida, planning to return to the couple's property in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, to be closer to Brand while he serves his sentence.
A friend told The Mirror: 'Her husband is a rapist and that will follow her everywhere she goes. But Laura is resolutely loyal to Russell and has been for a long time. She believed what he told her and has stood by him this entire time.' The same source added: 'Her whole world has collapsed' but that 'the people closest to her believe she is going to stay in the UK and wait for him.'
Brand denied all seven charges brought against him. He and Gallacher launched a Christian YouTube show called Sunday Service five months before the trial began, with Brand telling viewers it would continue throughout the proceedings. The couple have over 6.61 million YouTube subscribers.
How it is being reported
- Russell Brand's wife Laura stays ‘resolutely loyal’ after his rape conviction as she 'considers return to UK'Laura Gallacher, 39, is reportedly considering a move back to the UK with her children following her husband’s convictionEvening Standard · 7 Nov, 13:59
- 'I spoke to Russell Brand two days after his wedding - he asked me a personal question'A journalist has recalled an interview with Russell Brand just two days after his wedding to Laura Gallacher, revealing the personal question he askedDaily Express · 7 Nov, 12:04
- Russell Brand's wife 'planning back to UK as rapist husband soon starts jail term'Laura Gallacher, an author and illustrator, had to be held up by a security guard while leaving Court Three at Southwark Crown Court after Russell Brand was found guilty of rape and sexual assaultThe Mirror · 7 Nov, 11:20
- Russell Brand's wife Laura will stand by him and move back to the UK to be closer as he begins long jail sentenceRussell Brand's wife Laura Gallacher, 39, is said to have confided to friends she believes her husband is innocent - and will continue to support him as he serves his 'significant' sentence.Daily Mail · 7 Nov, 09:58
- Inside Russell Brand’s marriage to Laura Gallacher as she stands by him in rape trialRussell Brand’s wife Laura Gallacher stood by him throughout his rape trial, even taking to the witness stand in his defence (Picture: Ben Montgomery/Getty Images) For nearly four weeks, Laura Gallacher was a constant presence at Russell Brand ’s side as he faced trial for rape and sexual assault.…Metro · 6 Nov, 11:55
- What 'sweet and shy' Laura Gallacher's well-heeled family really think of her obsessive loyalty to rapist husband Russell Brand... after she acted like a 'hostage' in courtIt's fair to say that being Mrs Russell Brand wasn't quite the life path expected for Laura, the youngest child of multi-millionaire golfer Bernard Gallacher and his wife Lesley...Daily Mail · 5 Nov, 16:50
- The wife who stood by Russell Brand's side: How 'mummy blogger' Laura Gallacher - and her golfer father Bernard - supported comedian during rape trialThe 'mummy blogger', 39, sat crying in the public gallery as the disgraced comedian was found guilty of raping one woman and sexually assaulting three others.Daily Mail · 5 Nov, 14:57
In this story: Russell Brand · Laura Gallacher · Bernard Gallacher · Kirsty Gallacher · Southwark Crown Court · Henley-on-Thames · Florida
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
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