Russell Brand is back in court to learn his prison fate after he was found guilty of raping one of his fans and sexually assaulting three other women. His wife Laura Gallacher is also in attendance and will hear victim statements read out at his sentencing hearing at Southwark Crown Court today (November 9).
Guilty verdict and immediate imprisonment
The 51-year-old former comedian and actor was found guilty of raping a woman in 2009, as well as sexually assaulting female TV and radio workers between 2004 and 2009. Mr Justice Bennathan ordered Brand to start his prison sentence immediately after being found guilty last Thursday (November 5) and he spent the last few days in HMP Wandsworth.
Gallacher arrived at Southwark Crown Court in a minivan ahead of her husband's sentencing. She did not answer reporters' questions as she entered Southwark Crown Court, accompanied by another woman supporting her.
Court arrival and supporter reaction
She muttered "morning" in response to one photographer saying "morning Laura". Gallacher, wearing sunglasses, a blazer and a polo neck jumper, appeared to turn and give a thumbs up towards a protester shouting in support of her husband.
A pro-Brand protester carrying a large banner covered in Christian crosses shouted "Russell is the truth, that's why he's getting crucified, because he's outing the media" as the vehicle slowly turned the corner towards Southwark Crown Court's gate.
Details of the convictions
Brand was convicted by the jury of raping a 21-year-old fan in 2009, after meeting her following one of his stand-up shows at the Hammersmith Apollo. She agreed to go to Brand's Hampstead home for sex a few days later, but a consensual encounter turned into rape when the comedian suddenly forced the woman into anal sex.
Another woman told the court how her breasts were groped by Brand in the Nordic bar in Soho, just seconds after she had been introduced to him at a 2004 party. In 2005, Brand kissed and groped a third woman during a visit to the Capital Radio studios in London, pouncing on her as she walked out of a room.
Brand was also convicted of putting his head into the groin of a female Channel 4 worker, after she had been forced to give him a massage in 2009.
