Russell Brand, the British comedian sentenced to 10-and-a-half years in prison this week for rape and sexual assault, now faces a new accuser in the United States, according to a report from Page Six published on Tuesday (November 10).
The woman, based in the US, claims she was victimised by Brand and is in communication with high-profile attorney Gloria Allred, the report said.
Conviction and sentencing at Southwark Crown Court
Brand was convicted by a jury at Southwark Crown Court of one rape of a fan and three sexual assaults against TV and radio workers, offences dating from 2004 to 2009. He denied any wrongdoing during the four-week trial.
Judge Joel Bennathan denounced Brand's "casual and arrogant disregard" for any woman who said no to him, and criticised the series of lies he told in testimony denying assaults that dated to 2004.
"About 20 years ago, Russell Brand, you were becoming famous," Bennathan said. "You were clever - and in many people's eyes, funny and charismatic. You had also become a sexual predator."
Judge's remarks and victim impact
The judge said Brand's entourage may have written off the sexual assault as "laddish," the boorish and obnoxious behaviour for which Brand was known and with which he thought he could get away. "It was outrageous and possibly laddish, but also a criminal sexual offense, and as it turns out you haven't got away with it," the judge said.
A woman whom Brand groped during a birthday party at a London bar in 2004 said the assault left her in shock and turmoil and made her feel like "damaged goods." She said: "It was impossible to escape seeing him all over the media, being celebrated for his disgusting behavior against women like it was all a joke."
Prosecutor Riel Karmy-Jones said: "Mr Brand abused the influence and power that came with his fame. He used it to facilitate access to women without which the offending could not have taken place. It also fed his own view that he could commit such offences with impunity."
Background and next steps
By the end of that decade, Brand had married US pop star Katy Perry and moved to the US. They divorced after 14 months of marriage in 2011, but Brand owned properties in LA during his Hollywood movie career, reports The Mirror US.
His wife, Laura, was in court when Brand was sentenced. He mouthed "we'll be OK" to her as he was taken away by court officers. The Daily Star has approached Gloria Allred and Brand's legal team for comment.
