Russell Brand’s spouse had one-word response earlier than studying rapist husband’s destiny

WARNING, DISTRESSING CONTENT: Disgraced comedian and film star Russell Brand, 51, will learn the length of his prison sentence today after the judge warned him he is facing a ‘significant’ jail term

Russell Brand’s wife had a one-word response to reporters and photographers on her way to her husband’s sentencing. Laura Gallacher, 39, left Southwark Crown Court in tears on Thursday when Brand was found guilty of rape and three counts of sexual assault from 2004 to 2009.

Gallacher, who has stood by her former comedian partner, did not respond to reporters questions this morning. However, she did mutter “morning” after a photographer said “morning, Laura”. She also gave a thumbs up to supporters of her husband who have gathered outside the court.

After Brand, 51, was found guilty, Mr Justice Bennathan ordered Brand to start his prison sentence immediately, sending him straight to prison. The judge will pass sentence this morning, telling the shamed star how long he must now serve in custody.

Laura left the court in tears after the guilty verdict was delivered while Brand was last seen mouthing “I’m OK” to his lawyers before being led to the cells. On Monday, the judge is expected to hear impact statements from Brand’s victims and legal submissions from the lawyers before passing sentence.

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.

He claimed to have only ever had consensual sex during a “promiscuous” life, which he insisted had been packed with “idiocy” but never illegal.

But his victims told a different story, of a famous and powerful man who kissed and groped women within seconds of meeting them, pursued his sexual ambitions relentlessly, and laughed at and gaslit women after the attacks.

Friends and former colleagues of Brand also came forward to give evidence of his ambition to sleep with 5,000 women, an “insane” sexual appetite, and his bad behaviour towards women being “normalised” as he became increasingly famous.

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, brazenly grabbing her in the middle of a packed bar.

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.

She remembers looking to Brand’s entourage for help but no one came to her aid, before she eventually managed to push the comedian away.

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.

The woman told the court how Brand had refused to continue a recording session unless she massaged him, and members of his entourage encouraged it instead of protecting her.

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.