Russell Brand ‘petrified’ and ‘watched across the clock’ in first night time behind bars
Russell Brand is awaiting his sentencing hearing following his rape conviction at Southwark Crown Court and is reportedly ‘petrified’ as her spends his first night in prison
Russell Brand was found guilty of raping one woman and sexually assaulting three others yesterday(Image: PA)
Russell Brand is reportedly beign ‘watched around the clock’ as he spends his first night in jail. Brand facing years in prison after being found guilty of raping one woman and sexually assaulting three others.
The 51 year old was placed in custody following the verdicts at Southwark Crown Court, where Mr Justice Bennathan warned him he was looking at a “significant custodial sentence”.
Jurors unanimously found Brand guilty of crimes against four women spanning 2004 to 2009.
These included the rape of a 21 year old woman he encountered after a comedy performance at the Hammersmith Apollo in 2009.
Russell Brand faces a significant custodial sentence(Image: Getty)
Brand was also found guilty of sexually assaulting an MTV employee at a Soho bar, a woman at the Choice FM studios and a Channel 4 worker who had been instructed to give him a massage.
Prosecutors are also weighing up whether to bring charges against Brand concerning allegations involving two additional women, including one who was 16 at the time.
Brand had been facing seven charges altogether: three of rape, three of sexual assault and one of attempted indecent assault. He was acquitted of raping a woman in a Bournemouth hotel in 1999, during the Labour Party conference where Brand had been performing at a cabaret show.
The defendant was cleared of an attempted indecent assault charge after being accused of grabbing a woman’s arm and dragging her towards a toilet in central London in 2001. He was also acquitted of orally raping a woman in a bar toilet in London, an attack alleged to have taken place following a birthday party in Soho.
Brand was taken to be remanded in custody as he awaits his sentencing(Image: Getty)
During the trial, Brand told his wife Laura Gallacher “Laura, I love you” before the guilty verdict was delivered, at which point the former actor showed little reaction, merely closing his eyes. As he was led out of the court, Brand mouthed “I’m OK” several times to his lawyers.
It has since emerged that Brand is “petrified” about spending his first night behind bars and is reportedly being “monitored around the clock”.
A source told The Sun: “The first night for anyone in a jail is really daunting – and Brand was petrified. It will be a massive shock to the system to him and he will be monitored around the clock.
“All prisoners have to strip off in reception which is humiliating and a real wake-up call. He will be in prison-issue clothes and given a first-night pack, which will be a world away from what he is used to. All his cockiness will disappear as he takes in his new surroundings.
“But he will be relatively safe and watched around the clock by officers and banged up away from other inmates to start with.”
According tot he outlet he had to hand over his clothes in reception before being strip-searched and scanned. His first-night meal was an “inedible” microwave offering in reception.
He was then given a ‘first-night pack’ which consists of basic toiletries and a food pack including cereal, tea, milk and sugar.
It is understood he was allowed one three-minute phonecall behind bars, but who he called remains unknown.
Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy speaks outside of court(Image: Getty)
The senior detective leading the probe into Russell Brand has voiced concerns that the convicted comedian remains a danger to women. When questioned about whether Brand still posed a threat, Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy responded: “Yes, I do. I think he’s got that position of power and trust and millions of followers.”
Furphy went on to reveal the investigation remained ongoing, urging any additional victims of Brand to step forward. He stated: “What I will say is, our work isn’t done. There is a live investigation still taking place.”
He continued: “I do think there’s a possibility that more women may come forward. What I would say, that if you’ve been a victim of rape or sexual offence by Russell Brand and you’ve not yet spoken to police then come forward.”
The Russell Brand trial has triggered demands for legal reforms to address “rape myths” and misconceptions in courtrooms. Throughout the proceedings, Brand’s barrister Ian Winter KC informed jurors that none of the complainants had “resisted or screamed or even tried to leave”.
Laura Gallacher (C), wife of British comedian and actor Russell Brand, leaves the Southwark Crown Court alone after her husband was found guilty in his rape and sexual assault trial(Image: TOBY SHEPHEARD, AFP via Getty Images)
Claire Waxman, England and Wales’ Victims’ Commissioner, has now demanded that judges be legally obligated to instruct juries on rape myths and misconceptions during every rape trial.
She stated: “The idea that rape victims must scream, physically resist or immediately report an offence is a well-established rape myth, rooted in outdated and harmful assumptions about how victims are expected to behave. That’s why I am calling for a legal duty in the Courts and Tribunals Bill, requiring judges to direct juries on rape myths and misconceptions in every rape trial.”
She added: “Consistent judicial directions would help challenge stereotypes and improve understanding of trauma.”
Brand is due to be sentenced on Monday following his conviction for one count of rape and three charges of sexual assault.
