Georgina Baillie, the granddaughter of Fawlty Towers actor Andrew Sachs, has described Russell Brand in four words after the comedian was found guilty of rape and sexual assault. Speaking to the Daily Mail, Baillie called Brand a "seriously unwell sex addict".
Brand, 51, was found guilty on Thursday of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault, following a four-week trial at Southwark Crown Court in London. The verdict marked the end of a career for the entertainer who often referenced his predatory behaviour towards women.
Reaction to the verdict
Baillie told the paper: "Russell Brand is a sex addict. It's obvious to me. That boy is seriously unwell. He's been found guilty. He needs to make the amends. Owning up would be the first part of the amends."
She added that "justice had been served", saying: "Although he never raped or assaulted me as I have always said I didn't know what happened in the privacy of the rooms that the victims and Russell were in and their evidence was compelling. He has been found guilty and I now want Russell to right the wrongs."
The Sachsgate scandal
The case dates back to 2008, when Brand and fellow broadcaster Jonathan Ross staged a 'prank' call on their BBC Radio 2 show to Andrew Sachs. Sachs, then 78, was left a voicemail in which the two men discussed Brand sleeping with Baillie, then 21, a burlesque performer. The broadcast sparked widespread revulsion and was dubbed the 'Sachsgate' affair.
Baillie, now 41, reportedly suffered a spiral into drugs and alcohol after the incident, and her relationship with her grandfather never recovered.
Next steps
Brand is due to be sentenced on Monday after a judge refused an application for bail. On Friday, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said some of what he heard reported from the trial was "getting very close to victim blaming". Prime Minister Andy Burnham praised the bravery of the victims, telling Times Radio: "It's horrifying what Russell Brand has done."
