Russell Brand was sentenced to a total of ten years and six months in jail today for raping one woman and sexually assaulting three others. The disgraced entertainer showed no sign of emotion, regret or remorse during the sentencing hearing at Southwark Crown Court.
Behaviour in Court
Brand's only apparent concern seemed to be for himself as he repeatedly turned to his wife Laura Gallacher in what appeared to be a self-centred bid to convince her to stand by him. As one of the women Brand attacked bravely prepared to read her victim impact statement from behind a screen inside court, Brand turned away from her and towards his wife who was sitting behind him in the public gallery. He then mouthed through the glass: "It'll be okay, I don't know how, but it will."
It was the second time in as many minutes he had turned his back on the courtroom after previously turning round to tell his wife "I love you". Laura appeared on the verge of tears as she smiled at him, nodded, and mouthed back: "I love you". The couple, including Brand who had been clutching prayer beads, then gave each other a thumbs up.
Victim Impact Statements
He showed no emotion as heartbreaking victim impact statements from his four victims were read to the court, which included each of them telling how his crimes had and continue to affect them. There was not a flicker of recognition as the judge announced his sentence, which included nine years in jail for the rape and three separate sentences of 18 months in jail for his attack on a radio worker, nine months in jail for his attack on a woman in a bar and eight months in jail for sexually assaulting a Channel 4 staffer.
He also appeared to be callously unaffected as the judge blasted him for his crimes and accused him of being a liar.
Judge's Remarks
Mr Justice Joel Bennathan told Brand: "About 20 years ago, Russell Brand, you were becoming famous. You were clever and, in many people’s eyes, funny and charismatic. You had also become a sexual predator."
"Your status protected you until 2023 when journalists collected and published the allegations that were broadcast as a Channel 4 documentary and in articles in the Times newspapers."
"Those public declarations that you were a sex offender empowered a number of women to come forward and tell their stories of your activities many years before."
Sentencing Details
Brand will have to serve seven years behind bars before becoming eligible for parole. It can only be hoped that the time behind bars will give the born-again Christian time to reflect and repent for his crimes.
