Laura Gallacher, the wife of Russell Brand, arrived at Southwark Crown Court on Monday morning ahead of her husband's sentencing. Brand, 51, was found guilty last Thursday of raping a woman in 2009 and sexually assaulting three female TV and radio workers between 2004 and 2009.
Arrival at Court
Mrs Gallacher arrived in a minivan at about 9.20am, with a woman holding tight to her shoulders as they walked briskly past the press cameras into the courthouse. She wore sunglasses, a blazer and a polo neck jumper, and appeared to give a thumbs up towards a protester shouting in support of her husband.
The protester held a large banner outside the court that read: “Russell Brand we stand with you. Christ was crucified for telling the truth. Russell is the truth.”
Sentencing Hearing
The judge, Mr Justice Bennathan, will pass sentence today, telling Brand how long he must serve in custody. Brand is expected to begin his prison sentence immediately after being found guilty.
Mrs Gallacher did not answer reporters' questions as she entered the court, accompanied by another woman supporting her. She muttered “morning” in response to one photographer saying “morning Laura”.
Trial Background
The four-week trial heard how Brand preyed on women he encountered on his way to becoming one of Britain's best-known comedians, a TV and radio host, and a Hollywood actor briefly married to singer Katy Perry. He claimed to have only ever had consensual sex during a “promiscuous” life, insisting it had been packed with “idiocy” but never illegal.
His victims told a different story, describing a famous and powerful man who kissed and groped women within seconds of meeting them, pursued his sexual ambitions relentlessly, and laughed at and gaslit women after the attacks.
