Russell Brand has been handed a prison sentence of 10 years and six months after being convicted on one count of rape, and three counts of sexual assault. The four-week trial at Southwark Crown Court found Brand guilty of sexual offences involving four women.
Russell Brand faces consequences after guilty verdict
According to Sky News, the sentence relates to sexual offences committed against four women between 2004 and 2009. Brand received nine years for rape and additional terms for three sexual assault charges. The judge, however, reduced the overall sentence by a year due to some mitigating circumstances.
These included time elapsed since the offences and the lack of former convictions. Judge Mr Justice Bennathan said Brand would likely serve two-thirds of the sentence before being released on licence.
During the sentence, the judge criticized Brand’s attitude towards women. As reported the judge declared that Brand’s offences seem to be linked to the belief that Brand’s celebrity status had allowed him to disregard consent in women. He also praised the complainants for their “determination and bravery” in giving their testimonies.
One serious offence related to a woman Brand met after a comedy performance at the Hammersmith Apollo in 2009. The judge noted that Brand had initially engaged in consensual sex before removing his condom and raping the woman. The incident had a lasting impact on the victim, who later developed an alcohol problem.
The other offences involved include two incidents in 2004 and 2005, and one in 2009. The former included assaulting women at a Soho bar and at radio station Choice FM. The 2009 incident involved a female colleague working on a Channel 4 project.
Brand was acquitted of two further rape charges and one count of attempted indecent assault.
One of his victims described Brand as a “sexual predator who has no remorse”. She also hoped that Brand would not be able to carry on his misdemeanours against more women.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
