Russell Brand's wife Laura supported him throughout his rape trial at Southwark Crown Court, where the 51-year-old comedian was found guilty of rape and three counts of sexual assault. He was sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison on Monday afternoon.
Laura Brand, formerly Laura Gallacher, was in attendance when the guilty verdict was announced. She bowed her head and gripped her chair tightly as the verdict was read out, before being rushed from court by the couple's bodyguard.
Famous Sporting Family
Laura comes from a prominent sporting family. Her father, Bernard Gallacher, is a former European Ryder Cup captain and one of the most recognisable figures in British golf. He was pictured accompanying his daughter and son-in-law last week.
It was previously reported that Bernard had serious reservations about Laura's relationship with Brand and reportedly begged her to leave him. In 2023, the Daily Mail reported that Bernard was concerned about the couple's age gap when they started dating, with Laura only 19 and Brand already 31. They met when Laura was a teenage art student.
Family Reactions and Support
Bernard was said to have been 'delighted' when their relationship ended in 2007 and was reportedly taken aback when the couple rekindled their romance several years later. A source close to the family told the newspaper at the time: "Bernard is a very strait-laced guy, with no side to him. So in that sense, he and Brand are chalk and cheese."
Laura also has a famous sister in the form of ex-Sky Sports News presenter Kirsty Gallacher, who later had a short stint on GB News. She moved away from TV work after leaving the news channel in 2021. At the start of last year, she began presenting the drivetime show on the relaunched Gold Radio.
Kirsty made headlines when allegations against Brand surfaced in 2023, sharing a video on social media in which the comedian issued a firm denial. She accompanied the post with a red heart emoji, but it was later deleted.
Character Evidence and Future Plans
Laura provided character evidence during Brand's trial, describing him as a "wonderful father". She said that despite his womanising reputation at the height of his fame, she felt "entirely cared for and looked after" by him. In order to make her case, Laura had to explain their private history, including descriptions of their early sex life and his infidelity.
It has been reported by The Sun that Gallacher plans on moving the family to their house in Henley-on-Thames to be close to Brand while he serves his sentence. She reportedly remains convinced of her husband's innocence and is determined to stand by him despite his guilty verdict.
A source was quoted as saying: "Laura is resolutely loyal to Russell and has been for a long time. She believed what he told her and has stood by him this entire time. As his wife, her loyalty is with Russell and he undoubtedly will need her support more than ever now. The people closest to her believe she is going to stay in the UK and wait for him. But right now, this is all incredibly fresh. It's a living nightmare at this moment."
