Laura Gallacher, the wife of Russell Brand, delivered a three-word message to the disgraced comedian as he appeared at Southwark Crown Court for sentencing following his conviction for rape and sexual assault.
Brand, 51, arrived at the court after a jury found him guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault on Thursday afternoon (November 5). He was acquitted of two counts of rape and one charge of attempted indecent assault.
Court Proceedings and Verdict
The four-week trial heard that Brand preyed on women he encountered while building his career as one of Britain's best-known stand-up comedians, a lauded TV and radio host, and a Hollywood movie star. His victims testified that he forced them into sexual activity, sometimes within seconds of meeting, using his fame to pursue a goal of sex with 5,000 women.
The jury found him guilty of groping an MTV worker at a party in a Soho bar in 2004, but not guilty of raping her in a toilet. He was also convicted of kissing and groping a Capital Radio worker in a corridor in 2005, raping a fan after meeting her at a 2009 stand-up show at the Hammersmith Apollo, and sexually assaulting a Channel 4 worker in 2009 when she was forced to give him a massage.
Family Support in Court
As Brand entered the dock, he told his wife, "it'll be OK, I don't know how, but it will", before looking at his family and associates in the public gallery. Gallacher responded with "oh God" and then said "I love you" to her husband after he turned to face her.
Gallacher arrived at the courthouse at about 9.20am, with a woman holding her shoulders as they walked past press cameras. Wearing sunglasses, a blazer and a polo neck jumper, she appeared to give a thumbs up towards a protester shouting in support of her husband.
Background and Further Allegations
Brand and Gallacher rekindled their relationship in 2015 and married in 2017, sharing three children. Brand was previously married to pop singer Katy Perry. Gallacher, an author and illustrator, is the daughter of former Ryder Cup captain Bernard Gallacher and sister of former Sky Sports presenter Kirsty Gallacher.
Following the verdict, it was reported that Brand is being investigated for two more allegations of rape, including that of a 16-year-old girl. He is expected to receive a significant sentence.
