Laura Gallacher, the wife of Russell Brand, gave a thumbs up to a protester outside Southwark Crown Court this morning, ahead of the comedian's sentencing for rape and sexual assault.
Gallacher, 39, arrived in a minivan accompanied by a female friend and a bodyguard to hear the custodial sentence handed down to Brand, 51. It was her first public appearance since leaving the courtroom in tears last Thursday, when Brand was found guilty of raping a woman at his house in 2009. He was also convicted of three sexual assaults on more women between 2004 and 2009.
Arrival at Court
Gallacher arrived flanked by security and a friend, who held tightly to her shoulders as they walked briskly past press cameras into the courthouse at about 9.20am, more than an hour before Brand's sentencing was due to begin. She did not answer reporters' questions but muttered "morning" in response to a photographer saying "morning, Laura".
Wearing sunglasses, a blazer and a polo neck jumper, Gallacher appeared to turn and give a thumbs up towards a protester shouting in support of her husband. The protester held up a large banner outside the central London court that said: "Russell Brand we stand with you. Christ was crucified for telling the truth. Russell is the truth."
Support Throughout Trial
Gallacher has stood by her husband throughout the lengthy trial and gave character evidence on Brand, describing him as an "amazingly attentive husband". The pair have been married since 2019 and share three children together.
Brand has been warned to expect a long prison sentence after the jury unanimously found him guilty of four charges. Rape carries a sentence of four to 19 years behind bars, and sexual assault offences can be punished by up to 10 years' imprisonment. The judge will consider victim impact statements and lawyers' arguments before delivering the sentence in a session beginning at 10.30am.
