Russell Brand's X account has shared another message while he serves his prison sentence, this time promoting a change.org petition that already has 11,545 signatures.
Brand was jailed on Monday for 10 years and six months after being found guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault. The judge described him as a “sexual predator” who exploited his status to target fans, accusing the star of showing a “casual, arrogant disregard for any woman’s right to say no.”
Petition Calls for Appeal Rights
The newly launched petition, shared with the hashtag '#FreeRussellBrand', calls for Brand's 'right to challenge his convictions through lawful appeal procedures to be fully respected'. The image tied with the petition shows Brand and his wife, Laura Gallacher, outside the court with the caption 'justice for all'.
The petition states: "This is an independent supporter-led campaign. It is not affiliated with or authorised by Russell Brand or his legal representatives."
Meta Deletes Accounts
Brand has been removed from Instagram and Facebook, with his accounts deleted by Meta. Posting just two days after being sent down at HMP Wandsworth, Brand's X account, which has 10 million followers, posted: "There never was a Russell Brand, according to Meta. Thank God for Elon Musk."
"Stay tuned," the post ended, hinting at more to come. Alongside the message, Brand's account reshared an email from Meta which read: "We disabled your account. You no longer have access to russellbrand."
Giving an explanation, it continued: "Your account, or activity on it, doesn’t follow our Community Standards. No one can see or find your account, and you can’t use it. All your information will be permanently deleted."
Victims' Impact Statements
During Monday's sentencing, the court heard from a victim that Brand was convicted of anally raping her in 2009, after meeting her at a comedy show in Hammersmith. She said she "struggled to sleep and eat" and to "cope with my emotions" after the attack.
The victim said she had to take time away from work and live with her parents. "I am living with trauma and something I carry every day", she told the court. Her confidence and self-esteem were left "badly affected" and she no longer trusts her instincts, she said. The woman also explained that one of the worst parts of what happened was her fear that she might have contracted HIV.
Another of Brand's victims returned to court to deliver her victim impact statement on Monday, saying she felt “physically sick” watching him soar to fame after he groped her within minutes of meeting her in a Soho bar in 2004.
The attack left her feeling like “damaged goods”, she told the court. Speaking from behind a screen to protect her anonymity, she said: “For many years as his star was rising it was impossible to escape seeing him all over the media, being celebrated for his disgusting behaviour against women like it was all a joke.”
