Sky News broke from normal programming to deliver a significant update on Russell Brand's sentencing. The 51-year-old comedian is awaiting the judge's sentence after being found guilty last week on one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault.
Brand has returned to Southwark Crown Court after spending the weekend on remand at HMP Wandsworth. The news channel was speaking to comedian Cole Parker, a former co-worker of Brand who branded the star "disgusting" for committing the crimes, when it cut away for the announcement.
Courtroom Reorganisation Causes Delay
Katie Spencer told viewers that the beginning of Brand's sentencing has been delayed because court staff have been trying to organise the courtroom so that the convicted rapist, his supporters, and the public gallery cannot see the witness box.
She said: "Just a bit of news to bring you from inside court, and proceedings have been delayed slightly. They were due to get underway at 10.30, but we understand the delay has been made because court staff are trying to organise the courtroom so that the convicted rapist Russell Brand cannot see the witness box because one of Brand's victims is due to give her victim impact statement live in court, with others expected to be read by the prosecution."
"So the delay is because the courtroom is being reorganised so Russell Brand does not have a direct line of sight to one of the victims as she reads out her personal impact statement. We'll have more from Southern Crown Court for you throughout the morning."
Family Arrives at Court
Brand's wife, Laura, and his father, Ronald, were both seen arriving at court this morning to attend the sentencing. Laura gave a thumbs-up to reporters as she walked into Southwark Crown Court with a female companion.
The Sun reported that she was unsure whether to attend the sentencing, despite Brand "begging her to come", as a source said: "Her heart has been smashed into a million pieces over the last 48 hours. She obviously feared the guilty verdict was one that could come. At the moment she's unsure whether she will be in court for the sentencing."
"Russell has begged her to be there because he's got no idea how long it will be before he sees her again. But there's also a part of Laura which is scared about running the gauntlet on Monday and having to face everyone again."
