Russell Brand, the 51-year-old comedian sentenced to more than 10 years in prison for rape and sexual assault, reportedly heard a chilling taunt from a fellow inmate when he was first taken to his cell at HMP Wandsworth. One inmate shouted at him: "You're not a superstar in here, Brand. You're just another nonce."
Brand was sentenced on Monday, November 9, at Southwark Crown Court to 10 years and six years in prison for one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault. He denied all charges, insisting during his trial that he "never touched a woman without her consent." Mr Justice Joel Bennathan described Brand as a "sexual predator" who told a "series of lies" and exhibited "staggering arrogance."
First Moments in Wandsworth
Despite reportedly entering prison with an "air of superiority about him," fellow inmates appear far from impressed. One insider claimed Brand "came floating in almost as though he was the Messiah." The prison source said there was "this air of superiority about him," but it was "immediately" clear that Brand was "putting on an act."
"He was incredibly pale, almost as though he was going to be sick," the source added to the Daily Mail. "Whatever confidence he was trying to project, you could see the fear beneath it." Brand reportedly looked "horrified" when he was taken into his cell. "It was as though the reality of what had happened had finally sunk in," the insider said, revealing that Brand also asked whether he could have privacy when using the toilet.
Reports of Abuse and Target Risk
Reports suggest Brand has already been subjected to abuse by his fellow inmates since arriving at Wandsworth, a category B prison in south London widely regarded as one of Britain's worst. The prison source believes Brand's fame will do him no favours, stating: "His fame makes him a target, and there will be prisoners who would love nothing more than to make a name for themselves by attacking him."
Brand was found guilty of raping a 21-year-old fan he met after one of his Hammersmith Apollo shows in 2009. He was also found guilty of sexually assaulting a woman at a bar in London in 2004, a woman at the Choice FM studios in London in 2005, and a Channel 4 worker in 2009. Brand was found not guilty on two counts of rape and one count of attempted indecent assault. It is unclear which prison Brand will carry out the majority of his sentence, but for now he is being held at HMP Wandsworth.
