Russell Brand is facing a fresh police investigation into alleged abuse, it can now be revealed, after the “staggeringly arrogant” sexual predator was sentenced to more than 10 years in prison yesterday.
Police have received “multiple reports” of sexual abuse since the 51-year-old comedian and actor was convicted of raping one woman and sexually assaulting three others.
Former girlfriend Jemima Goldsmith, 52, came forward last night, accusing Brand of “violence, coercive control and abuse”. She said she was so frightened after a “violent incident” in 2014 that she called police to remove him from her £15 million Cotswolds home.
Brand showed no visible emotion in court yesterday as the judge said he had exploited his celebrity status to prey on women, believing that “fame meant you could act how you liked, when you liked, unhindered by the rules by which decent people live”.
Sitting in the dock, Brand blinked in apparent disbelief as he was told he would serve at least seven years of a 10-and-a-half-year sentence for attacks on four women between 2004 and 2009.
His wife, Laura Gallacher, visibly crumpled in the public gallery, leaning forward in her seat as she fought back tears. Before Brand was taken to the cells, he mouthed, “I love you, we’ll be OK.” Gallacher looked up, placed her hand against the glass dock and whispered, “I love you” in reply.
Moments later, the mother of three left court wearing sunglasses to conceal her red-rimmed eyes, as she faced difficult questions about her decision to stand by her husband.
When Brand was driven from Southwark Crown Court in a prison van shortly afterwards, members of the public struck the vehicle’s windows. One man shouted: “Not so funny now, Russell, are you?”
Russell Brand is facing a new investigation into abuse allegations after the “staggeringly arrogant” sexual predator was sentenced to more than 10 years in prison yesterday
Laura mouths “I love you” to Brand as he waves before being taken to the cells
Jemima Goldsmith, pictured with Brand in 2013, has accused him of “violence, coercive control and abuse” after it emerged that she and the disgraced comedian had kept a massage therapist silent for more than a decade
Brand showed no emotion as the judge said he had used his celebrity status to prey on women, believing “fame meant you could act how you liked, when you liked, unhindered by the rules by which decent people live”
Laura Gallacher was escorted through the crowd outside to a waiting Mercedes after her husband was jailed
The mother of three leaned forward after hearing that Brand would receive a prison sentence of more than 10 years
She fought back tears while leaving court on Monday, holding hands with a friend
Brand now faces the possibility of a second trial as police examine a series of new allegations. Prosecutors are expected to decide within weeks whether to charge him over two additional alleged rapes, including one involving a 16-year-old.
Mr Justice Bennathan said yesterday that Brand had shown a “casual arrogant disregard to any woman’s right to say no”. Addressing him directly, he said: “About 20 years ago, Russell Brand, you were becoming famous, you were clever, and in many people’s eyes you were funny and charismatic. You had also become a sexual predator.”
The judge condemned Brand’s “staggering arrogance” and his belief that his status protected him after he attacked journalists who exposed his conduct in 2023. He also criticised Brand’s entourage for enabling “dreadful behaviour” after assaults took place in front of staff members who either laughed or failed to intervene.
He praised the victims for their “determination and bravery”. The judge said: “All those women had to face being confronted and being told they had lied, or twisted the truth and, or, they had agreed to your sexual demands: that was all done because of you, on your instructions.”
Mr Justice Bennathan also rejected rape myths after Brand’s defence barrister was criticised for listing stereotypes that suggested the victims should not be believed because they had not screamed, kicked or slapped him.
The judge said: “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.”
Brand’s barrister, Ian Winter KC, was paid approximately £1 million for the defence, legal sources told Our News Outlet. The fraud specialist was reportedly brought in after several leading female barristers declined to represent Brand.
However, the decision caused further controversy when Mr Winter faced a Bar Standards Board investigation after directing a foul-mouthed attack at the journalist whose reporting exposed Brand. Following the verdict, he told her that she had “f*****” justice.
A court sketch shows Laura watching as her husband is sentenced for sex offences
A sketch depicts Brand in front, with his wife Laura to the left, his father Ron to the right and his bodyguard behind them during sentencing
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Brand appeared with his wife at Southwark Crown Court last Thursday, hours before his conviction
Ronald Brand, Russell’s father, told reporters that his son was the real victim of the trial
Two Brand supporters wept outside court as he was sentenced for four sexual offences
They carried this banner
Members of the public shouted at a security van believed to be carrying Brand as it left court, banging on its side. One man yelled: “Not so funny now, Russell.”
Brand’s crucifix was visible through the prison van window as he was driven away
Russell Brand and his father Ron appeared in a 2002 interview discussing nights with “prostitutes in Hong Kong”
Andy Burnham has promised to reform the law, saying he will be “relentless in making whatever improvements” are needed to provide greater support for victims. In court, Mr Winter claimed Brand had been unfairly depicted as a “monster”, urging the judge to view him as a man who had suffered a “short, momentary total failure” to respect a woman’s consent.
Despite Brand’s rape conviction, Mr Winter drew criticism when he argued that his client should not be sentenced “in the way that he has been portrayed over the last four days [as someone] who is, in general terms, a rapist”. He said Brand’s wife, Laura — the sister of television presenter Kirsty Gallacher and daughter of Ryder Cup-winning golfer Bernard Gallacher — was devastated and struggling to explain the truth to their children.
He said: “I’m afraid words are completely inadequate to truly try to convey to your Lordship the total devastation she’s experiencing. Currently (they) are wrestling with how to exactly explain to a child who’s just turned ten what has happened here.”
Hi, I’m Alex Matthews, Editor of The Crime Desk.
Russell Brand has been convicted of rape and three sexual assaults, while our reporters Caroline Cheetham and Liz Hull attended court every day. They spoke with Detective Inspector Laura Nelson, who explained why the women who accused Brand in the documentary were not involved in his rape trial.
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Brand will serve two-thirds of his sentence before being released on licence.
He is expected to seek legal advice about an appeal, although legal sources said the jury’s mixed verdicts could make that difficult.
Brand was convicted of rape and three sexual assaults but acquitted of two further rape charges and an attempted indecent assault.
One source said: “In a way it would have been easier for Winter if there had been a clean sweep of guilty verdicts. At least then he could have argued that Brand did not receive a fair trial because of the Channel 4 Dispatches and Sunday Times investigation.
“The mixed verdicts show that the jury reached its conclusions on the evidence, regardless of the media coverage, which makes an appeal very difficult.”
After sentencing, Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy urged anyone who had been affected by Brand to contact police.
He said: “I want to make a direct appeal to anyone who has been a victim of rape or any other sexual offence.
“We know it can take enormous courage to speak about what has happened to you, no matter how long ago it occurred or who was responsible.
“If you come forward, you will be listened to, supported and treated with care and compassion.”
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