Mia Latter has accused Russell Brand of abusing her when she was 16, waiving her right to anonymity. She claims Brand referred to her as 'the child' in front of his entourage.
Ms Latter, now 37, told The Times that Brand had a lasting impact on her life. 'I felt so much shame and embarrassment around the whole thing, that I let this stupid thing ruin my prospects,' she told the newspaper. 'My attendance [at school] was at 30 per cent. I was missing school to sneak off and see him [Brand], and I was diagnosed with depression.'
Brand, 51, has begun a 10-and-a-half-year sentence after he was convicted of raping a woman in 2009, as well as sexually assaulting three women between 2004 and 2009. Following his sentencing on Monday, he was sent to HM Prison Wandsworth, a Category B men's jail in South West London, but is expected to be transported to HMP Wakefield in the coming days.
Further allegations and the alleged assault
A further eight women have since come forward to accuse him of sexual abuse and predatory behaviour. Ms Latter was referred to under the pseudonym 'Alice' when the Sunday Times, The Times, and Channel 4's Dispatches published allegations about Brand in 2023.
Towards the end of the relationship, she alleges Brand orally raped her. 'He ended up forcing me against the headboard [of the bed], and I couldn't move, and he orally raped me — and I was choking and crying. 'I was trying to push him off, so he knew that I didn't want him to be doing that, and so then I ended up having to hit him in the stomach to get him off.'
Campaign for staggered age of consent
She told the outlet she was waiving her anonymity to campaign for a 'staggered' age of consent that would prohibit relationships between 16- and 17-year-olds and adults. Ms Latter said: 'I don't want to criminalise teenagers having sex with each other. If you're between the ages of 16 and 18, it seems reasonable that you can have relationships with each other, and [teenagers] are always going to. 'But … if you're in your thirties, forties, and fifties and you're trying to have a relationship with someone under the age of 18, it [should be] a criminal offence.'
Sentencing and prison conditions
Brand always maintained that any relationships he had were 'consensual' and denied wrongdoing, but delivering his sentence at Southwark Crown Court, Mr Justice Bennathan slammed his 'staggering arrogance'. He told Brand that he was 'protected' by his celebrity status during his heyday. 'About 20 years ago, Russell Brand, you were becoming famous, you were clever, and in many people's eyes, you were funny and charismatic. 'You had also become a sexual predator.'
The judge went on to denounce Brand's 'disregard for any woman's right to say no' to him, saying he felt like he could act 'when [he] liked and how [he] liked'. Convicted rapist Brand must serve two-thirds of the sentence, roughly equivalent to seven years, and will serve the remainder on licence.
It's been reported that he is already receiving 'abuse' from other inmates due to his status and the high-profile nature of his crimes. A prison source told the Daily Mail that he entered the jail with 'this air of superiority about him', but it was 'immediately' clear he was putting on 'an act'. Brand was reportedly 'horrified' upon being taken to his cell, which is a stark contrast to the luxurious living conditions he's accustomed to.
It's thought that the Get Him to the Greek star has been advised to cut his long hair so he's less 'conspicuous', as, at the moment, he's instantly recognisable and at risk of a beating, simply because fame makes him a 'target'. '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.'
When he is moved to the Category A jail in West Yorkshire, it's understood that staff will be in a better position to ensure his safety. Brand's wife, Laura, whom he wed in 2017, has already visited him, having stood by him throughout the sentencing.
