Convicted rapist Russell Brand is facing a hostile reception behind bars, with prison insiders warning that fellow inmates will be "licking their lips" at the prospect of targeting him. The disgraced comedian is said to be "petrified" after spending his first night in custody following his conviction for rape and sexual assault.
Held at HMP Belmarsh
Brand is believed to be held at HMP Belmarsh, a high-security Category A men's prison in Thamesmead, south-east London, ahead of his sentencing on Monday. The jail has previously held some of the UK's most infamous criminals, including Ian Huntley, Charles Bronson and Lee Rigby's killer Michael Adebolajo.
Brand was kept secluded in his holding cell after being placed on remand. A prison source said: "This is a man notorious for taking the mick out of people. He has built a career on laughing about women, his sex life, and he is a predator. Nothing more, nothing less."
Threats from fellow inmates
The source warned that Brand's notoriety could make him a target: "But like with any famous face that gets a long sentence, he will be a celebrity behind bars too - and not in a good way. Prisoners will be licking their lips at getting their hands on Brand once he is settled in. There will absolutely be a bounty on his head."
"Many will try to be friends with him, but there's a lot of dark people behind bars and a lot of people wanting to make a name for themselves here. What better way to gain notoriety yourself than hitting headlines as the person who hurts Russell Brand? He is going to have to watch his back," the insider added.
First night in custody
Describing Brand's first night in a cramped cell, the insider claimed: "It was not a pleasant experience, obviously it is not meant to be. But he was given one call of a couple of minutes and that was it. It will be a very short sharp shock to him, that this is now his life for the foreseeable future."
"He was kept segregated last night and today, and to be honest, probably will for the whole weekend. Nothing can happen to him before that sentencing date, that would not look good on the prison service. To be honest he's lucky that he will be seen on Monday, that's a pretty quick turn around for court cases," the source said.
Vulnerable prisoner status
Brand is set to have a mental health review to ensure he is not a danger to himself or others. "He will be being treated as a vulnerable prisoner right now," the insider continued. "Round the clock watching, he is a prisoner of interest and I don't think that will be being downgraded any time soon. He is a wanted man, on the outside and the inside."
"It will be a bleak few weeks for him while he acclimatises and that is the most dangerous time for most newly incarcerated prisoners," the source concluded.
