Russell Brand's family is facing a major decision over whether to move back from the US after the former comedian's conviction for rape and sexual assault. Brand, 51, was jailed this week after being found guilty of raping one woman and sexually assaulting three others during his career. He was handed a 10-and-a-half-year sentence and is set to be transferred to HMP Wakefield, one of the UK's most infamous prisons, known for housing serial killers, murderers and high-risk sex offenders.
Family weighs move to Britain
His wife Laura will have to decide whether she remains in the US home they had been living in before the trial or relocates to Britain with their three children while Brand sees out the jail stint. A source told the Daily Star: "Wakefield is quite literally known as Monster Mansion - it is the place where Britain's most vile monsters are holed up ... It houses the worst of the worst, and is probably not a place where you'd want to take children to be honest."
They added that it is an "individual decision on whether you want your children in that environment" but noted the family may "have to relocate" if they want regular face-to-face access to the 51-year-old. "It isn't just the environment that can be scary, but the people behind the bars," they said.
Wife's support and prison terms
"Some don't want their children to witness the inside of a prison, which is more than fair enough. These are all things Laura is going to have to think about now." The Brands moved from Oxfordshire to Santa Rosa Beach in Florida in late 2024, but retained ownership of their UK property.
Laura, the daughter of Ryder Cup winning golfer Bernard Gallacher and sister of sports presenter Kirsty Gallacher, was "totally devastated" by her husband's convictions but is "standing by him", Brand's defence barrister said. Ian Winter KC told Southwark Crown Court on Monday that the couple have been "wrestling with how to explain" to their 10-year-old child what has happened to their father.
The convicted rapist's wife previously gave evidence to the jury where she described Brand as "caring" and "kind", adding that there is honesty at the centre of their marriage. After the sentence was passed, she told her husband "I love you" and he said to her as he was led away to the cells: "We'll be ok."
Brand is expected to serve two-thirds of his prison sentence before being released on licence. He will be on the sex offenders' register for life.
