Russell Brand sentenced to 10 years and six months for rape and sexual assault
The British comedian was convicted on one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault, and he denies all charges.
Latest · Nov 10 Brand has now been sentenced to 10 years and six months after a jury convicted him on four of seven counts; he denies all charges.
British comedian Russell Brand, 51, has been sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison after a London jury found him guilty on one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault. Judge Bennathan handed down the sentence at Southwark Crown Court on Monday. The jury convicted Brand of raping a woman he met at one of his shows in 2009 and of sexually assaulting three women at a bar, a radio station and a TV studio between 2004 and 2009. Six women testified during the roughly four-week trial. Four of them gave victim impact statements before sentencing, three read by prosecutors and one read by a woman behind a curtain. None of the women have been publicly named. Brand denies all the charges and has said he never had non-consensual sex. The trial was not televised.
Brand moved from stand-up comedy and MTV hosting to political commentary and later to conspiracy theories, becoming popular with the U.S. right after his religious conversion. Critics said his treatment of women had been an open secret for decades.
Key points
- Brand was found guilty on one rape count and three sexual assault counts.
- Sentence totals 10 years and six months.
- Brand denies all charges.
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Earlier coverage
- Russell Brand sentenced to 10 years and six months for rape and sexual assault
British comedian Russell Brand was sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison at Southwark Crown Court in London. Judge Bennathan delivered the sentence on Monday.
A jury found Brand guilty of raping a woman he met at one of his shows in 2009 and of sexually assaulting three women at a bar, a radio station and a TV studio between 2004 and 2009. He was found not guilty on two other rape counts and one count of attempted indecent assault. Brand denies all charges.
Four of the women gave victim impact statements before sentencing. One said the attack has stayed with her every day, and another said she felt she would not be believed because of Brand's fame. London police said Brand used his fame to prey on women.
Why it mattered: The case is seen by many as a major moment in the #MeToo movement, showing how a famous figure can be held to account. Brand also faces allegations in the United States, including a 2023 claim by a woman who said he assaulted her while she worked as a film extra on the 2010 movie Arthur.
- Russell Brand faces prison sentence after rape and sexual assault conviction
Comedian Russell Brand was found guilty on Thursday of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault. A London judge is set to hand down the sentence on Monday, and he has said Brand faces a significant custodial term.
The case involved seven historic charges brought by six women. Brand was found not guilty of two rape counts and one count of attempted indecent assault. He had denied all charges, and his lawyer's request for bail over the weekend was denied.
A London police detective said Brand used his influence and fame to prey on women. The verdict is widely seen as a major moment for the #MeToo movement. Brand also faces a separate allegation from a woman in the United States, which he has not been convicted of.
Why it mattered: The case is a major test of how the justice system handles high-profile sexual abuse claims, and it has drawn wide attention in the United States, where Brand has also faced allegations. Brand married pop star Katy Perry in 2023, and the case has been closely followed by American media.
- Russell Brand convicted of rape and sexual assault in London; jailed term expected Monday
Comedian and actor Russell Brand was convicted Thursday at Southwark Crown Court in London of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault. The charges involved four women and allegations dating back more than 20 years.
Brand, 51, denied the charges. He was acquitted of two rape counts and one count of attempted indecent assault. Judge Joel Bennathan said Brand faces a "significant" prison term when he is sentenced on Monday. Bail was denied over the risk he might flee, and Brand was taken into custody.
Prosecutor Riel Karmy-Jones described Brand as a "sexual predator" at trial. Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy of the Metropolitan Police praised the women who came forward. Brand rose to fame in the early 2000s with television work, a BBC radio show and Hollywood films.
Why it mattered: The case involves a well-known entertainer whose Hollywood film work and online following reached American audiences.,Brand has lived in Florida in recent years, so the case may draw attention from U.S. readers.
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