Russell Brand, who has been found guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault, admitted in his 2007 autobiography, My Booky Wook, to kicking his childhood dog down the stairs. The admission has resurfaced on social media as the 51-year-old awaits sentencing.
Book Admission Resurfaces
In the book, Brand described an abusive behavioural pattern with his childhood dog, Topsy. According to the excerpt, Topsy was not allowed upstairs in his home. Brand wrote that he would sit at the top of the landing and lure the dog up before kicking him down. He added that he would then run downstairs to cuddle Topsy, pretending to be sympathetic.
The book reads: "When she would slink nervously upward to the forbidden terrain of the upper floor, I would suddenly become Mr. Hyde. 'Oh dear, Topsy,' I would declaim, in a rather arch manner, 'you know perfectly well you're not allowed upstairs' before cruelly kicking her back down to the bottom again."
Social Media Reaction
Edward Dutton, an author, said in a post on X: "In 'My Booky Wook,' Brand admits to teaching his dog he couldn't come upstairs, enticing him upstairs, kicking him downstairs and then comforting him, for his own sadistic amusement. Childhood cruelty to animals is the sure sign of a psychopath."
Brand is set to be sentenced on Monday (November 9) after being found guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault following a four-week trial at Southwark Crown Court. The offences took place against four women between 2004 and 2009.
Sentencing and Further Investigations
The judge told him to expect a "significant custodial term", while legal experts estimate he will likely receive a prison sentence ranging from four to 13 years. Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Police are actively investigating Brand over further rape allegations made by two additional women.
The convictions come after allegations involving the former comedian were reported by Channel 4's Dispatches, The Times and The Sunday Times in September 2023. Police launched an immediate investigation before being contacted by a number of women who were not known to each other.
The force said: "Brand's offending was between 2004 and 2009 and included one rape and three sexual assaults committed against four women. The offences took place in different locations, including a radio station, the set of a DVD recording and Brand's home address.
"Throughout the investigation and trial, the women were supported by specialist officers and dedicated victim support teams. They remained alongside them at every stage, helping them navigate the criminal justice process."
