Russell Brand’s dad Ron slams ‘corrupt’ rape jury and says son is ‘sufferer’

WARNING, DISTRESSING CONTENT: Disgraced comedian Russell Brand, 51, was today sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison for raping a fan and sexually assaulting on three other women

Russell Brand’s father has defended his son after he was sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison for rape and sexual assault. Ron Brand said it is “possible” the jury in the case were “corrupt” but added that his son is “strong” as he heads to jail. He also said Russell was the “victim” of the trial.

Outside Southwark Crown Court, Ron was questioned by reporters about whether this was how he raised his son. “They are a nasty bunch”, Ron said of the reporters. When asked if he had a message for the victims, he replied: “what, Russell?”.

“The girls, you mean, who chased him and harassed him?”. After being told his son had been convicted, Ron replied: “I don’t care. It is the system. I don’t believe it on the basis of what I have seen today.

“It is easy to find the right jury. Look on Facebook and you will see what they are saying.” When asked if the jury was corrupted, he said: “I’m saying it is possible. Are you saying it is not possible?”.

Ron said that his son “is strong” when asked of he will be able to cope in prison. And added that Brand’s wife Laura Gallacher “is strong as well”.

On Thursday, the 51-year-old former stand-up comic was found guilty at Southwark Crown Court of raping a woman and sexually assaulting female TV and radio workers.

A four-week trial heard how Brand preyed on women that he encountered on his way to becoming one of Britain’s best-known comedians, a lauded TV and radio host, and a Hollywood actor who was briefly married to singer Katy Perry..

Brand was convicted by the jury of raping a 21-year-old fan in 2009, after meeting her following one of his stand-up shows at the Hammersmith Apollo.

The woman told jurors she was a huge Brand fan and had willingly engaged in a threesome with him backstage despite having a boyfriend at the time.

She agreed to go to Brand’s Hampstead home for sex a few days later, but a consensual encounter turned into rape when the comedian suddenly forced the woman into anal sex.

Another woman told the court how her breasts were groped by Brand in the Nordic bar in Soho, just seconds after she had been introduced to him at a 2004 party. She recalled Brand’s “weird” grin as he carried out the sexual assault.

In 2005, Brand kissed and groped a third woman during a visit to the Capital Radio studios in London, pouncing on her as she walked out of a room.

Brand was also convicted of putting his head into the groin of a female Channel 4 worker, after she had been forced to give him a massage in 2009.

Brand denied the all the charges and claimed to have only ever had consensual sex during a “promiscuous” life, which he insisted had been packed with “idiocy” but never illegal.

If you or somebody you know has been affected by this story, contact Victim Support for free, confidential advice on 08 08 16 89 111 or visit their website, Victim Support – Free, confidential support after crime.