Russell Brand, convicted of raping one woman and sexually assaulting three others, is being “monitored around the clock” in prison, according to sources. The 51-year-old spent his first night behind bars as he awaits his sentencing hearing on Monday.
Remanded in Custody After Verdicts
The judge yesterday refused to allow Brand the chance to bid farewell to his children, concerned he might abscond rather than appear before the court on Monday for sentencing, to which Brand loudly replied “yes My Lord”. Brand remained in a cell following the verdicts at Southwark Crown Court, where Mr Justice Bennathan warned him that he faced a “significant custodial sentence”.
Jurors unanimously found Brand guilty of offences against four women between 2004 and 2009. He was convicted of raping a 21-year-old woman he met following a comedy show at the Hammersmith Apollo in 2009. Brand was additionally found guilty of sexually assaulting an MTV employee at a Soho bar, a woman at the Choice FM studios, and a Channel 4 worker who had been directed to give him a massage.
Courtroom Reaction and Family Support
Throughout the proceedings, Brand told his wife Laura Gallacher “Laura, I love you” before the guilty verdict was delivered, at which point the former actor showed no visible reaction other than closing his eyes. Laura, 39, required support from a security guard while departing Court Three at Southwark Crown Court following the foreman’s dramatic verdicts on Thursday afternoon.
She had previously appeared visibly distressed and seemed to be having difficulty breathing while a female companion held her hand as they awaited the jury’s decision. Ms Gallacher subsequently turned her head and body towards a wall and covered her mouth in disbelief upon learning her husband would be remanded in custody pending his sentencing this Monday.
The verdicts ultimately arrived after eight hours and 30 minutes of deliberations. Following confirmation of the verdicts, Brand was led from the courtroom, mouthing “I'm OK” repeatedly to his legal team.
Monitoring and Safety Concerns
It has now come to light that Brand is “petrified” about his first night in custody and is reportedly being “monitored around the clock”. A source told The Sun: “The first night for anyone in a jail is really daunting - and Brand was petrified. It will be a massive shock to the system to him and he will be monitored around the clock.”
They added: “But he will be relatively safe and watched around the clock by officers and banged up away from other inmates to start with.”
Det Supt Andy Furphy stated outside court yesterday: “Today's verdict is first and foremost a testament to the extraordinary courage, resilience and determination of the women who came forward and reported what happened to them. Without their bravery, this outcome would not have been possible. Brand used his influence, status and fame to exploit and sexually offend against 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.”
Charges and Acquittals
Brand had been charged with seven offences in total: three counts of rape, three of sexual assault and one of attempted indecent assault. He was acquitted of raping a woman in a hotel in Bournemouth in 1999, during the Labour Party conference where Brand had been performing at a cabaret show.
The accused was found not guilty of an attempted indecent assault charge when he was alleged to have grabbed a woman's arm and pulled her towards a toilet in 2001 in central London. He was also cleared of orally raping a woman in a toilet at a bar in London, an alleged attack said to have occurred when they had attended a birthday party together in Soho.
Brand will be sentenced on Monday November 9.
