Russell Brand has been found guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault against four different women. The 51-year-old was cleared of two other rape charges and an attempted indecent assault charge.
The verdict was delivered by a jury at Southwark Crown Court on Thursday, November 5. Following the conviction, Brand was denied bail and immediately remanded into custody without being allowed to return home to say goodbye to his family.
Bail application refused
Brand's defence barrister, Ian Winter KC, asked the judge to grant him bail over the weekend as an "act of humanity" so he could see his children. Judge Mr Justice Bennathan refused the application, stating that Brand faces an inevitable and "significant custodial term" and that the risk of him fleeing or absconding increased substantially after a serious conviction.
Brand's wife, Laura Gallacher, was present in the courtroom when the verdict was read. According to reports, she looked visibly distressed when Brand was led down to the cells. Laura sobbed and went "deathly pale," clutching the arm of Brand's PA Sara Watson and putting her head in her hands. Brand's parting words to her before entering the dock were "I love you".
Wife's testimony and reaction
Gallacher left Southwark Crown Court in a Black Mercedes shortly after the verdicts had been read. She was Brand's only defence witness throughout the three-week trial, and the couple regularly arrived to court hand-in-hand.
She told the court that he is an "amazing husband" and an "attentive father" to their three children. She added: "I feel very seen by him." Gallacher also described Brand as "caring and kind," adding, "We have a very honest, frank and clear relationship and marriage." She defended her husband's intimate conduct, telling jurors their encounters always happened strictly at her pace and that he always respected her boundaries.
During her time in court, Gallacher had to be taken out of the room after an "inadmissible question" from Brand's barrister, Ian Winter KC. He asked her about her view on the truth of the allegations, which led Judge Joel Bennathan to interject, saying, "No, no, no," as prosecutor Riel Karmy-Jones KC called the question "unacceptable".
Sentencing scheduled
Brand is facing years in prison after being found guilty of raping one woman and sexually assaulting three others. He was acquitted of three other charges.
Detectives are now appealing for any other potential victims of the fallen star to come forward. He is scheduled to be formally sentenced on Monday.
