Russell Brand, now serving a 10-year-and-6-month prison sentence for rape and sexual assault, told Piers Morgan in a resurfaced interview that he had a 'deal' with God about going to prison. The 51-year-old was sentenced on Monday after being found guilty of the offences.
In April, Brand spoke at length with Morgan on his YouTube show Uncensored about the possibility of being locked up. Wearing a crucifix around his neck and carrying a Bible to court during his trial, Brand was asked how he would feel if he were imprisoned.
Morgan's Question and Brand's Reply
Morgan began, "If you get convicted and go to prison—", before Brand interrupted, saying, "And it's not very nice." The journalist responded, "No, not that," and proceeded to ask: "How would you feel in that moment that God has felt like that's the right thing to happen."
Brand replied: "Drink the cup man, drink the cup, that's the deal we've got. That's the deal we've got Piers." The disgraced TV personality then asked: "And how will you feel on your judgement day."
Brand's Thoughts on Prison
During the interview, Brand was asked if he thought about the reality of going to jail if he was found guilty. He said: "Yes… all the time, every day." He added: "Because actually, I am not afraid of the truth and if the truth is if I am going to prison, then I am. My job will be, do not be afraid of that truth, that is what you are going to do."
He has now swapped freedom and fame for the life of a prison inmate. Mr Justice Bennathan described him as a "sexual predator" who displayed "staggering arrogance" and told a "series of lies".
Sentencing and Victim Impact
The judge imposed a nine-year jail term for the rape, and added an extra year and a half for the sexual assaults. Sentencing Brand on Monday, he said the comedian harboured a "casual arrogant disregard to any woman's right to say no to you", while his fame meant he believed "you could act when you liked and how you liked".
One of the victims called Brand "a sexual predator who has no remorse for how his behaviour has impacted my life".
