Russell Brand was sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison today, and former detective Mark Williams-Thomas believes he will be attacked “within the next two years” by inmates intent on “taking him out.”
Brand was told his fate inside Southwark Crown Court days after being found guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assaults. He was supported inside court by his wife Laura Brand. During the sentencing, the judge called him a “sexual predator” who told a “series of lies” during the trial.
Ex-detective's prediction on prison danger
Mark Williams-Thomas, an ex-police detective, believes Brand’s money will not be enough to protect him in prison. He told Jeremy Vine: “When he gets sentenced, he’ll most probably go to a vulnerable person's wing but he won’t spend much time outside because he’s got to be protected. There will be people in prison who want to take him out.
“And those people will negotiate with guards to try and find the opportunity for him to be alone so that he can be attacked. And so I would suspect within the next couple of years, he will be assaulted to some degree.”
Risk of relapse into drug use
The former cop, who helped expose Jimmy Savile’s crimes, also spoke on 30 Minute Crime about his belief that Brand could turn back to drugs on the inside. Brand started using drugs as a teenager and it was heroin that took over his life after experimenting with cannabis and crack cocaine.
The 51-year-old has been sober since December 2002, but Williams-Thomas warned: “The final point is that this is a man who has got an addiction habit and drugs in jail are rife. They are on a huge scale so the question would be is he able to resist drugs when he’s in jail?
“And I don’t think I’m being unfair to him. This is a man who has got serious addictions. The chances of him falling back into using drugs, I think, are very very high.”
Conviction and police response
A jury found Brand guilty of rape and three sexual assaults last Thursday when the former actor and comedian was also cleared of two further rape charges and one allegation of attempted indecent assault.
Afterwards, Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy, who led the Metropolitan Police probe, praised the “extraordinary courage, resilience and determination” of the women who came forward.
He said: “Despite intense media and public scrutiny, they relived deeply personal and traumatic experiences and placed their trust in us. Without their bravery, this outcome would not have been possible.
“Brand used his influence, status and fame to prey on and exploit women. As his profile grew, so too did his sense of entitlement. I hope this conviction sends a clear message that no one is above the law, no matter how famous or powerful they may be.”
