Russell Brand faces ’13 years in jail’ as disgraced star to be taught rape sentence destiny
Russell Brand faces a ‘significant’ prison sentence after being found guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault with sentencing on Monday (November 9)
Russell Brand English comedian and actor has been found guilty of rape(Image: Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror)
Disgraced comedian Russell Brand is set to be hit with a “significant” prison sentence on Monday (November 9) after being found guilty of rape. Brand, 51, was found guilty of one count of rape, and three counts of sexual assault following a four week trial at Southwark Crown Court on November 5.
The offences concerned four women and took place between 2004 and 2009, during a period in which Brand’s career and public profile grew from stand-up comedy into television and acting. Presiding over the case Justice Joel Bennathan told Brand he will serve a custodial sentence.
This means the disgraced celeb will have to spend time behind bars, rather than serve a non-custodial sentence where he would be required to pay a fine or be given a community order. The maximum sentence for a rape charge in the U.K carries the possibility of a life sentence.
The judge will consider if Brand poses a danger to women.(Image: James Manning/Press Association)
However only the most severe case, such as campaign of numerous rapes, warrant a maximum sentence.
Danny Shaw, a crime commentator and former BBC correspondent, posted on X stating that while the maximum sentence for rape in the UK is life, 10 years is reportedly the average sentence given. He went onto to claim that Brand was likely to receive between four to 13 years of prison time.
Brand was also found guilty of three counts of sexual assault last week. A sexual assault conviction is punishable by imprisonment of up to 10 years. The judge will also consider whether Brand poses a danger to women.
Brand is currently in HMP Wandsworth awaiting sentence (Image: Corbis via Getty Images)
In addition to evaluating the extent of harm inflicted and the defendant’s culpability, the judge will also consider any aggravating or mitigating factors. Aggravating elements might include the victim’s age, prior criminal record, weapon usage, or any efforts to conceal or eliminate evidence.
In Brand’s situation, none of his victims were minors, and he possesses no criminal history. Mitigating circumstances may also be weighed when deciding the sentence, including whether Brand has shown sincere remorse for his crimes.
David Roberts, Senior Crown Prosecutor in the London Rape and Serious Sexual Assault Unit said: “Russell Brand was predatory and used his celebrity status to commit sexual crimes. He was a manipulator with an insatiable desire to get what he wanted regardless of whether consent was given or not.
Court artist sketch by Elizabeth Cook of Russell Brand in the dock at Southwark Crown Court, London, as he is found guilty of raping one of his fan(Image: Elizabeth Cook/Press Association)
“As his career took off, he seized opportunities to assault the women around him. Although his tactics varied, at the centre of every assault was an abuse of power and sexual greed, with a complete disregard for the impact of his actions.
“I would like to thank all the women in this case for their courage in coming forward and seeing this sexual abuser brought to justice.”
The disgraced comedian has been held in HMP Wandsworth as he awaits sentencing. Brand was visited by a prison chaplain, who prayed with him as he started what is expected to be a long stretch behind bars. And a source believes he will need all the help he can get.
They said: “He has been put in a cell and is being kept away from other inmates because he is in real danger due to his offences, his wealth and who he is.”
Brand has been held in HMP Wandsworth(Image: Getty)
Brand’s first day in jail was a “real shock to his system and a wake-up call”, the source added. They told The Sun : “He looked shaken and was quiet. A horrible, noisy and dirty jail like Wandsworth is a world away from his glamorous Hollywood lifestyle.”
The shaken star is said to have met the minister at his cell door and was accompanied to the prison chapel. Brand — who took a bright blue Bible to court in the early stages of his trial — then got down on his knees to pray, it is claimed.
He had been strip-searched and scanned on arrival at the jail. As a sex offender, he is kept apart from other cons and assessed by officers. Prison bosses carried out a Cell-Sharing Risk Assessment on him and opted to house him on his own amid safety fears.
