Photo credit, Getty Images
Russell Brand was sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison after being convicted of rape and sexual assault.
In his ruling, Judge Joel Bennathan described Brand as a “sexual predator” and criticized his “staggering arrogance”.
The 51-year-old was sentenced to nine years in prison for rape, plus 18 months, nine months and eight months for three counts of sexual assault.
The fallen artist was found guilty of charges against him relating to four women between 2004 and 2009.
Brand did not react in the dock during his sentencing. Before being taken to his cell, he whispered “I love you” to his wife, Laura Brand, who was present in the courtroom.
The guidelines provide that people sentenced to four years or more in prison for certain serious, violent or sexual offenses will be released after two-thirds of their sentence. In Brand's case, that would be seven years.
Once released, he will likely serve the rest of his sentence on parole and will have to follow certain rules, such as wearing an electronic bracelet. His sentence will not be eligible for the early release program. Sex offenders, as well as murderers, are excluded from this program.
The judge also paid tribute to the courage of the women who testified during the trial.
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In total, Brand was sentenced to:
Photo credit, Elizabeth Cook/Press Association
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In other remarks, the judge said Brand's status protected him until 2023, when journalists from the Sunday Times, The Times and Channel 4's Dispatches exposed a series of allegations of misconduct, leading to women filing complaints with police.
He said Brand harbored an "arrogant, flippant disregard for any woman's right to say no to you", while his celebrity made him believe "you could act when you wanted and how you wanted".
The judge said the evidence presented in the case also showed that Brand's entourage, at the height of his fame, "tolerated your deplorable behavior."
Before Brand's sentencing, the court heard statements from the victims, the women he was accused of assaulting.
One of the women, speaking behind a screen, said she had been “shocked and upset for years”.
“I was extremely upset and traumatized,” she said. “I no longer had any respect for myself. I felt broken, terrified of sending signals that could be misinterpreted. »
She added: “I just want to say: a leopard can change its spots, but it’s still a leopard. »
The mark left the victim “anxious and humiliated”.
“Russell Brand has managed to move on,” a woman sexually assaulted by Brand in 2005 said in a statement read in court. “It had a lasting impact on my life. I recognize it now. »
“However, over the years, hearing his voice on television or seeing his image startled me. I had a strong reaction of rejection when I heard his voice. »
She added: “Russell Brand is a sexual predator who shows no remorse… I just hope he can’t harm any other women again.” »
The statement from the woman Brand was found guilty of raping was also read in court.
“I felt anxious, humiliated and overwhelmed,” she said. “I had trouble sleeping and eating, I had trouble managing my emotions, I had to take time off work,” she added.
She continued: “I had to live with my parents, I sought help and support… I live with trauma, something that I carry every day. »
“My self-confidence and self-esteem have been seriously affected. I no longer trust my instincts. »
The woman said the worst part of her ordeal was the fear of having contracted HIV. She also said she suffered considerable pain after the attack.
A woman, who was sexually assaulted while working on a project for Channel 4 with Brand in 2009, said in a statement she was “really distraught” afterward.
“I felt like I had lost trust in others, I no longer felt safe at work,” she said. “I felt helpless at the time and it had a negative impact on my self-confidence. »
The verdicts were returned on Thursday following a four-week trial at Southwark Crown Court in London.
Brand was found not guilty of two counts of rape and one count of attempted indecent assault.
He will automatically have to register on the sex offender register as part of his sentence because of the crimes he committed.
Laura Brand was seated just a few meters from the former comedian in the glass box of the accused when his sentence was pronounced.
Earlier on Monday morning, upon arriving in the dock, Brand whispered to his wife, "It will be okay, I don't know how, but it will be okay," and was seen praying and making the sign of the cross with his hand as victim impact statements were read.
Brand's lawyer, Ian Winter KC, presented six character references, including one from Georgina Baillie, the granddaughter of the late actor Andrew Sachs.
Baillie was thrust into the spotlight in 2008 when Brand and Jonathan Ross left offensive messages about her on her grandfather's answering machine during a Radio 2 show.
Winter also told the court that the former artist's wife, Laura Brand, who testified in her husband's favor during the trial, was "totally devastated" by the verdicts.
He said Mr and Mrs Brand were "currently wondering how exactly to explain to a child who has just turned 10 what happened".
“This highlights the consequences of such actions for completely innocent people who were victims,” he said.
In passing sentence on Brand, the judge said: “I am fully aware that your incarceration will deprive your children of the presence of their father. »
“This painful loss they are experiencing, however, is caused by your serious offense. »
We used AI to help translate this article, originally written in English. A BBC journalist checked the translation before publication. Learn more about how we use AI.
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