One of Russell Brand's victims has described the disgraced comedian as a "sexual predator with no remorse" during his sentencing at Southwark Crown Court on November 9, adding: "I just hope he is not allowed to hurt any more women."
The 51-year-old is being sentenced after being found guilty of rape and three counts of sexual assault on Thursday following a four-week trial. He was also found not guilty of two counts of rape and one charge of attempted indecent assault.
Victim describes lasting trauma from 2004 assault
The court first heard a victim impact statement from a woman who was sexually assaulted by Brand in a Soho bar in 2004. She delivered her statement live in court from behind a protective curtain, as she has lifelong anonymity.
"I wanted to express how this crime has affected me over the years," she said. "When it happened, I was in complete shock and turmoil for weeks trying to process what had happened to me. I was extremely upset and traumatised."
"It really affected how I viewed myself, I didn't have any respect for myself and got into situations with toxic men as I didn't have any self-worth," she continued. "I literally lost any love for myself for a long time thinking that I was damaged goods."
The victim told the court 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".
Death threats and panic attacks detailed
The court heard that the victim received death threats from Brand's "manic supporters" in the time since the allegations were made. The "truly terrifying" experience led her to suffer the first panic attack she has ever had, she told the court.
"Seeing the front pages of the newspaper talking about what happened to me caused me to have the only panic attack I've ever had in my life, it was a truly terrifying experience," she said.
"Even more terrifying was seeing my character be torn apart on social media by people believing all of us women were making it up," she added. "There's been accusations and death threats from manic supporters of him on social media which has instilled a genuine fear that my name will somehow get out there and some crazy person will come after me or my family."
Further victims describe impact on their lives
Another victim, who was sexually assaulted by Brand at Choice FM in 2005, said his offending "has had a lasting impact on my life even if I thought that I had successfully buried what happened." Her statement, read by prosecutor Riel Karmy-Jones KC, 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."
She concluded: "Russell Brand is a sexual predator who has no remorse for how his behaviour has impacted my life. I just hope that he is not allowed to hurt any more women."
Russell Brand's rape victim's statement was the next to be read by prosecutor Karmy-Jones. "I did not know who I could trust or confide in. I felt that if I reported him, I would not be believed," the statement said.
Karmy-Jones KC told the court "in terms of harm this is a case where the offence falls into category 1, we submit there has been an extreme impact" caused by a combination of features, including "severe psychological harm" and the victim's fear of HIV infection "particularly as Mr Brand removed the condom without consent during the course of the anal rape".
Brand's final victim was sexually assaulted by the comedian while he was filming for a project in 2009 while she was working for Channel 4. Her statement said: "I felt powerless in that moment, and it had a knock-on effect on my confidence because I felt like I had no control on that day and there was nothing I could do about what he did to me."
The Met police has said investigations are continuing into two further allegations of rape made against Brand. Prosecutors are assessing whether to bring additional charges.
"I hope this conviction sends a clear message that no one is above the law, no matter how famous or powerful they may be," senior police officer Andy Furphy said.
