Russell Brand has been sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison for rape and three sexual assaults, with the judge praising the courage of the women who gave evidence against him.
The comedian and former television presenter was sentenced at Southwark Crown Court in London on Monday, 9 November, after a jury found him guilty last week of offences involving four women.
Mr Justice Joel Bennathan imposed nine years for rape and an additional 18 months for the sexual assault offences. The individual sexual assault terms run concurrently with each other but consecutively to the rape sentence, bringing the total to 10 years and six months.
Judge Pays Tribute To Women Who Testified
Before passing sentence, the judge paid tribute to the determination and bravery of the women who testified. He acknowledged that they had faced challenges to their accounts in court and commended Metropolitan Police officers for their work gathering evidence and supporting witnesses.
The judge said the offences were too serious for anything other than immediate custody. He also said that, given the time since the offences and the evidence heard, there was no sound evidential basis to conclude Brand posed a future risk.
Brand was told he would serve two-thirds of his sentence in custody — approximately seven years of the 10-year, six-month term — before being released on licence. He will remain subject to licence conditions for the remainder of his sentence and can be recalled to prison if he breaches them. He will also be subject to indefinite notification requirements under the Sexual Offences Act 2003.
Convictions Follow Four-Week Trial
As BLUNT reported following the verdict on 5 November, Brand was convicted of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault after a four-week trial. The offences took place between 2004 and 2009.
The jury acquitted him of two other rape charges and one count of attempted indecent assault. Brand denied the charges, maintaining that his sexual encounters were consensual.
The Metropolitan Police has also said it is investigating further allegations involving two women. Those allegations are separate from the convictions and have not resulted in charges.
Reaction Outside Court
Photographers and supporters gathered outside the courthouse during the proceedings. Images and footage from sentencing day capture the public attention surrounding the case, while the judge’s remarks centred on the women who gave evidence and the seriousness of the offences.
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