Russell Brand's father Ron described his son's trial as "ludicrous" and insisted the women had all consented, as the former TV star was convicted of rape and sexual assault.
Ron Brand was at Southwark Crown Court to support his 51-year-old son, and outside the court he shared his thoughts on the proceedings. In a recording heard by Express.co.uk from a source just before the jury gave their verdict, he was asked how he thought it was going for his son and admitted: "It's very difficult to tell. Very difficult to tell. You can just cross your fingers and hope..."
Father's claims of consent
Discussing the evidence against Brand, Ron said: "To my ears, it sounded ludicrous. In each case, the woman consented verbally..." When challenged on this point, he said: "They've said they consented. They said we consented to [whatever], but then they...," he trailed off.
He eventually acknowledged that not all the victims had said there was consent. "There were one or two cases where he dragged them to the toilets or something - or they are saying he dragged them to the toilets," he corrected himself.
As the conversation wound up, he said: "There's 12 people with different points of view, clearly, and that's how judicial service works. Hopefully they can…come back with the right decision."
Conviction and sentencing
On Thursday, November 5, Brand was convicted of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault against multiple women between 2004 and 2009. He was acquitted of one other count of rape and one count of attempted indecent assault.
Judge Mr Justice Bennathan had advised Brand to sit down as he delivered the news that "given the verdict on count six at least, obviously a custodial sentence of some length will result".
Mr Justice Bennathan said: "You've been convicted of a number of offences including rape. The consequence of that is inevitably a significant custodial term. My current view is that I therefore have to remand you into custody," as Brand's wife Laura Gallacher was seen covering her mouth in shock. He added the case was "very well prepared", with the sentencing hearing to take place on Monday, November 9.
Previous dismissal of allegations
This is not the first time Ron Brand has dismissed sexual assault claims made against his son. In 2023 he refuted allegations against him, dismissing them as "unproven" and asking: "Is this seriously the most important thing happening in this world?"
At the time he suggested there might be ulterior motives at play and speculated the BBC was pursuing a "vendetta" against the former TV presenter. "With many struggling to pay bills, the unproven accusations of 15 years ago take the lead on BBC News?" he fumed. "Is this seriously the most important thing happening in this world? Immigrants? Cost of living? Tens of thousands killed in Ukraine? Who is prioritising at BBC News? Who is really driving this vendetta?" he raged.
In the past, Russell had credited his father with intensifying his struggles with sex addiction after his initial experience with a prostitute was arranged and paid for by Ron, who was simultaneously involved with two other women in an adjacent bed in Hong Kong.
