Russell Brand has been remanded in custody after being convicted of raping one woman and sexually assaulting three others, and is reportedly 'petrified' to spend his first night behind bars. The 51-year-old was remanded in custody following the verdicts at Southwark Crown Court, where Mr Justice Bennathan warned him he faced a "significant custodial sentence".
Jurors unanimously convicted Brand of offences against four women between 2004 and 2009. These included the rape of a 21-year-old woman he encountered following a comedy gig at the Hammersmith Apollo in 2009. Brand was also convicted of sexually assaulting an MTV worker at a Soho bar, a woman at the Choice FM studios, and a Channel 4 employee who had been instructed to give him a massage.
Charges and acquittals
Brand had faced seven charges in total: three of rape, three of sexual assault and one of attempted indecent assault. He was cleared 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. The defendant was cleared of an attempted indecent assault charge after being accused of grabbing a woman's arm and pulling her towards a toilet in central London in 2001. He was also acquitted of orally raping a woman in a toilet at a London bar, an attack alleged to have taken place while the pair had been attending a birthday party together in Soho.
Prosecutors are additionally considering whether to bring charges against Brand in relation to allegations involving two further women, one of whom was 16 at the time.
Reaction in court and first night in custody
In court, Brand told his wife Laura Gallacher "Laura, I love you" before the guilty verdict was returned. At that moment, the former actor displayed no visible reaction, aside from closing his eyes. As Brand was escorted from the dock, he mouthed "I'm OK" repeatedly to his legal team.
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."
"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.
He was allowed one three-minute phonecall behind bars – likely to have been made to wife Laura, 39, and was offered an "inedible" microwave meal in reception. After being strip-searched and scanned he was given a 'first-night pack' which consists of toiletries including a toothbrush and toothpaste and a food pack including cereal, tea, milk and sugar. He was also offered a vape pack and a Bible.
Investigation continues and sentencing date set
The senior detective who led the inquiry into Russell Brand has stated that he believes the convicted comedian continues to pose a risk to women. When asked whether he thought Brand remained a danger to women, 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 reveal that the investigation was far from over, urging any further victims of Brand to come forward. He said: "What I will say is, our work isn't done. There is a live investigation still taking place." Furphy added: "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 trial has prompted calls for legislative reform to address "rape myths" and misconceptions within courtrooms. During proceedings, 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 for judges to be legally obliged to direct juries on rape myths and misconceptions in every rape trial. She said: "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 following his conviction for one count of rape and three charges of sexual assault.
