Russell Brand has been remanded in custody after being convicted of rape and sexual assault at Southwark Crown Court, with reports indicating he is 'petrified' about spending his first night behind bars as he awaits sentencing. His first-night meal was an “inedible” microwave offering in reception.
Conviction and remand
The 51-year-old was remanded following the verdicts, where Mr Justice Bennathan cautioned him that he faced a "significant custodial sentence". Jurors unanimously convicted Brand of offences against four women between 2004 and 2009, including the rape of a 21-year-old woman he encountered after a comedy performance at the Hammersmith Apollo in 2009.
Brand was additionally convicted 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 instructed to give him a massage. Prosecutors are also deliberating whether to bring charges against Brand concerning allegations involving two further women, one of whom was just 16 at the time.
Trial details and acquittals
Brand had faced seven charges in total: three of rape, three of sexual assault and one of attempted indecent assault. He was acquitted of raping a woman at a hotel in Bournemouth in 1999, during the Labour Party conference at which Brand had been performing at a cabaret show. He was also cleared of an attempted indecent assault charge after being accused of grabbing a woman's arm and dragging her towards a toilet in central London in 2001, and was acquitted of orally raping a woman in a bar toilet in London, an attack alleged to have occurred while the pair were attending a birthday celebration together in Soho.
During proceedings, Brand told his wife Laura Gallacher "Laura, I love you" prior to the guilty verdict being delivered, at which point the former actor displayed no visible reaction beyond closing his eyes. As Brand was escorted from the courtroom, he mouthed "I'm OK" several times to his legal team.
First night in custody
It has since emerged that Brand is "petrified" about spending his first night behind bars 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."
The source added: "All prisoners have to strip off in reception which is humiliating and a real wake-up call. He will be in prison-issue clothes and given a first-night pack, which will be a world away from what he is used to. All his cockiness will disappear as he takes in his new surroundings. But he will be relatively safe and watched around the clock by officers and banged up away from other inmates to start with."
Investigation and calls for reform
The senior detective who spearheaded the investigation into Russell Brand has stated his belief that the convicted comedian continues to pose a threat to women. When questioned on the matter, Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy responded: "Yes, I do. I think he's got that position of power and trust and millions of followers."
Furphy went on to confirm the investigation remained ongoing, urging any further victims of Brand to come forward. He stated: "What I will say is, our work isn't done. There is a live investigation still taking place." Furphy further commented: "I do think there's a possibility that more women may come forward. What I would say, that if you've been a victim of rape or sexual offence by Russell Brand and you've not yet spoken to police then come forward."
Brand's conviction has ignited demands for legislative reform to address "rape myths" and misconceptions within courtrooms. Throughout the trial, Brand's barrister Ian Winter KC told jurors that none of the complainants had "resisted or screamed or even tried to leave". Claire Waxman, the Victims' Commissioner for England and Wales, has since called upon judges to be legally obligated to direct juries on rape myths and misconceptions during every rape trial. She stated: "The idea that rape victims must scream, physically resist or immediately report an offence is a well-established rape myth, rooted in outdated and harmful assumptions about how victims are expected to behave. That's why I am calling for a legal duty in the Courts and Tribunals Bill, requiring judges to direct juries on rape myths and misconceptions in every rape trial. Consistent judicial directions would help challenge stereotypes and improve understanding of trauma."
Brand will be sentenced on Monday after being found guilty of one count of rape and three charges of sexual assault.
