Russell Brand Sentenced to 10 Years and 6 Months in Prison for Rape and Sexual Assault

LONDON — Russell Brand has been sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison after being convicted of raping one woman and sexually assaulting three others during the height of his fame.

The 51-year-old former comedian and actor was sentenced on Monday, November 9, at Southwark Crown Court in London. Mr Justice Bennathan, the sentencing judge, told Brand he had become a "sexual predator" as his career was taking off, and criticised his "staggering arrogance" as he handed down the sentence.

Brand showed no emotion as the sentence was read out, but told his wife Laura "we'll be OK" as he was led away by dock officers. He has been held at HMP Wandsworth since a jury found him guilty last Thursday, November 5.

What the judge said

Mr Justice Bennathan said Brand used his celebrity status to pursue women, describing him as a "calculated sexual predator" during the years when he was becoming famous. Prosecutors had told the court that Brand used his fame to target women working in television and radio.

The judge said he had considered several mitigating factors, including Brand's lack of previous convictions, the fact that 17 years have passed since his last offence, and the time he has spent doing good work, including helping people struggling with addiction. Those factors reduced the sentence for the rape by a year — but the judge made clear that good character should not normally carry significant weight in a case like this.

How the 10-and-a-half-year sentence breaks down

The total sentence of 10 years and six months is made up of consecutive terms:

• Nine years for the rape of a 21-year-old fan in 2009.
• 18 months for sexually assaulting a woman at Choice FM in London in 2005.
• Nine months for sexually assaulting a woman at a bar in Soho in 2004.
• Eight months for sexually assaulting a woman while working on a Channel 4 project in 2009.

The three sexual assault sentences run concurrently with each other, but consecutively to the rape sentence, bringing the total to 10 years and six months. The judge indicated Brand will have to serve two-thirds of the sentence before becoming eligible for parole, and he will remain on the sex offenders' register for life.

The trial and the verdicts

Brand was found guilty on Thursday, November 5, after a four-week trial at Southwark Crown Court. The jury convicted him of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault, and cleared him of two further counts of rape and one count of attempted indecent assault.

The offences related to four women and took place between 2004 and 2009, when Brand was building his career as a comedian, presenter and actor. The trial opened on October 12, and Brand denied all of the allegations throughout.

The four offences the jury found proved were: groping an MTV worker at a party in a Soho bar in 2004; sexually assaulting a Choice FM worker after meeting her at the Capital Radio studios in 2005; sexually assaulting a woman during a Channel 4 project in 2009; and raping a 21-year-old fan after meeting her at one of his stand-up shows at the Hammersmith Apollo in 2009.

What happens next

Brand's legal troubles may not be over. London's Metropolitan Police have confirmed that separate rape allegations made by two other women remain under investigation, and prosecutors have received files on those allegations. Brand also faces civil claims in both Britain and the United States.

The sentence is the latest major court punishment to make headlines this year — in the United States, Colt Gray was sentenced to life without parole over the Apalachee High School shooting — and it closes a dramatic fall for a star who was once one of Britain's most famous comedians.

Brand rose to fame in the 2000s as a stand-up comedian and television presenter before moving into Hollywood films. His conviction and sentencing have dominated entertainment headlines, a space that has also followed lighter celebrity stories this year — Dakota Johnson recently shared a new dating rule after her split from Coldplay frontman Chris Martin.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was Russell Brand sentenced for?

Brand was sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison for one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault, committed against four women between 2004 and 2009.

How long will Russell Brand spend in prison?

He was given a total of 10 years and six months — nine years for the rape plus 18 months, nine months and eight months for the three sexual assaults. The judge indicated he will have to serve two-thirds of the sentence before becoming eligible for parole.

Was Russell Brand found guilty of all charges?

No. The jury convicted him on four of the seven charges. He was acquitted of two counts of rape and one count of attempted indecent assault.

What did the judge say about Russell Brand?

Mr Justice Bennathan told Brand he had become a "sexual predator" as he was becoming famous and criticised his "staggering arrogance". He also said Brand used his celebrity status to pursue women.

Could Russell Brand face more charges?

Possibly. The Metropolitan Police have said two further rape allegations against Brand remain under investigation, and he also faces civil claims in Britain and the United States.

References

• Associated Press: Russell Brand sentenced to 10 1/2 years in prison for rape and sexual assault
• Metropolitan Police: Russell Brand jailed for rape and sexual offences
• Glasgow Times: Russell Brand sentenced to 10 years for rape and sexual assaults
• Men's Journal: Russell Brand sentenced to 10 years and 6 months in jail after rape and sexual assault