LONDON — British comedian and actor Russell Brand was sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison for rape and sexual assault by a London court Monday.
The lengthy prison term completes a stunning fall from grace for Brand, 51, who found fame on both sides of the Atlantic chronicling his promiscuity and battles with addiction.
He was found guilty Thursday of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault. He had pleaded not guilty to all counts and denied all of the allegations.
Brand appeared in the London court Monday wearing a dark suit and at times making a sign of the cross as the judge, Justice Joel Bennathan, called him a “sexual predator” before he delivered the sentence. Bennathan had warned last week that Brand faced a “significant” prison term for his crimes.
Stressing that he had to be careful not to punish Brand more “because you are famous,” Bennathan also paid tribute to the “determination and bravery” of the women who testified against him.
“Whatever women wear, wherever they go, indeed whatever they drink, they retain the right to say no and to demand justice from the criminal courts when sexual predators like you, Russell Brand, act without their consent,” he added.
According to Britain’s sentencing council, the maximum sentence for rape is life imprisonment and 10 years for one count of sexual assault.
Brand’s victims told the court Monday — in person and in written statements — that they were still living with the trauma and effects in their daily lives.
“I’ve been in shock and turmoil for years,” a woman told the sentencing hearing, while another said he appeared to show “no remorse.” Victims of alleged sexual offenses are granted anonymity for life under British law.
London’s Metropolitan Police said it had provided prosecutors with investigations into two more rape allegations against Brand since he was convicted.
Asked by reporters whether he had a message for the victims as he left court, Brand’s father, Ron Brand, said he didn’t care about them and suggested they had “chased and harassed” his son. He added that he didn’t believe in the justice system “on the basis of what I just watched.”
Brand’s case has renewed scrutiny of the ethics of the entertainment industry, through which Brand rose from a flamboyant British broadcaster and stand-up comedian to a star of Hollywood movies.
Source: www.nbcnews.com
