Prosecution counsel told a sentencing hearing for Russell Brand that the woman he raped suffered "severe psychological harm", including the fear she may have contracted HIV. Riel Karmy-Jones KC told the court: "In terms of harm, this is a case where the offence falls into category one; we submit there has been an extreme impact" caused by a combination of features.
These features included "severe psychological harm", despite the victim accepting that there were other factors that had an effect on her life beyond Brand. The harm included her fear of HIV infection "particularly as Mr Brand removed the condom without consent during the course of the anal rape".
Victim impact statement read to court
Ms Karmy-Jones KC read out an impact statement from the woman which said: "The defendant's public profile had a significant impact on me - because of who he was and the influence he held, I did not feel confident speaking openly about what had happened.
"I did not know who I could trust or confide in. I felt that if I reported him, I would not be believed. His fame, wealth and influence created a power imbalance which made me feel powerless.
"I did not have the confidence to challenge someone who appeared so powerful, rich and influential. His public profile meant that he remained present in my life even when I wanted to move on.
"I would regularly encounter references to him in the media, which made it difficult to escape reminders of what had happened."
The statement continued, saying it had been "extremely difficult" knowing her family had "suffered alongside" her.
"I have also found it upsetting to the suggestions that I was merely an obsessive fan," she said. "That portrayal does not reflect who I am. I had my own ambitions, goals and aspirations, and it has been deeply hurtful to be labelled in that way.
"The impact has also been felt by my family. My parents have supported me throughout, but I know that what happened has affected them too. My father worried constantly about me, and it has been painful for him to repeatedly see in the media the man who raped me.
"Knowing that my family have suffered alongside me has been extremely difficult."
Brand found guilty of rape and sexual assault
Brand was found guilty last week of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault, following a four-week trial at Southwark Crown Court in London. He was found not guilty of two other counts of rape, and one count of attempted indecent assault.
The 51-year-old will likely face a significant prison term when he is sentenced later today (Monday).
Statements were also read out from the three victims of sexual assault carried out by Brand.
One sexual assault victim said in her statement that she was in "complete shock and turmoil for weeks" after she was attacked by Brand. Her statement added that the "shame" was "carried around inside with me for 20 years" even "when I was trying to compartmentalise and get on with my life".
A statement from another sexual assault victim said Brand's actions had a "lasting impact" on her life. She said: "Russell Brand has managed to move on and even forget that he sexually assaulted me violently in a very public place and in front of people.
"This has had a lasting impact on my life even if I thought that I had successfully buried what happened."
A statement from Brand's third sexual assault victim said she feared the sexual assault will "haunt me every day". Her statement continued: "I am eternally grateful to the police and prosecution team for their support and for allowing my voice to be heard.
"I finally feel believed but I am still so anxious. I worry that there will be repercussions for telling the truth.
"This was and is being spoken about so much by the world media and social media, it's left me feeling exposed and exhausted.
"Everyone has an opinion about me and the others and the case, and I worry this will never go away and that it will haunt me every day, despite it being the right thing to do."
Defence and support statements
Brand's defence barrister Ian Winter KC told the court Brand's crimes were connected and the consequence of the level of fame he was acquiring.
Mr Winter KC told Southwark Crown Court that it took place as "he started to become very famous and then extraordinarily famous, and we would invite your lordship to conclude that his behaviour for these offences are connected and the consequence of that level of fame".
Georgina Baillie, the granddaughter of Fawlty Towers actor Andrew Sachs, has submitted a statement in support of Russell Brand.
"I still choose to support him as a person I know him to be", she wrote. Brand's barrister Ian Winter KC said Ms Baillie, having been embroiled in the Sachsgate scandal in 2008, had "as good a reason as anyone" not to back the comedian.
He urged the judge to take it into consideration, and "not sentence (Brand) as the monster portrayed outside this courtroom".
Brand winked and then nodded at his wife and members of his entourage while clutching a crucifix in his hands as his sentencing hearing was paused for lunch. Mr Justice Bennathan said he would begin his sentencing remarks at 2pm today (Monday).
