what did russell brand do

Russell Brand was sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison following his conviction in London on one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault. (npr.org), (nbcnews.com)

The Charges & Trial

Following a four-week criminal trial at Southwark Crown Court, a jury of eight men and four women found the 51-year-old comedian and actor guilty of attacking four women between 2004 and 2009. The specific convictions involve: (facebook.com), (cbsnews.com)

• Sexual Assault (2004): Groping a woman’s breasts at a London bar.
• Sexual Assault (2004/2005): Groping and kissing a woman at a London radio station.
• Rape (2009): Anally raping a 21-year-old fan at his West London home after meeting her backstage at a comedy show.
• Sexual Assault (2009): Groping a woman and pressing his face into her groin while filming an advertisement. (theguardian.com), (latimes.com), (cbsnews.com)

The jury acquitted Brand on two other counts of rape and one count of attempted indecent assault. Throughout the investigation and trial, Brand maintained his innocence, claiming that while he lived a highly promiscuous lifestyle, all of his sexual encounters were entirely consensual. (youtube.com), (wral.com), (cbsnews.com)

The Sentencing

During the sentencing hearing, Judge Joel Bennathan labeled Brand a “sexual predator” who exhibited “staggering arrogance” and operated under the belief that “fame meant you could act how you liked, when you liked”. (cbsnews.com)

Brand received nine years for the rape charge and an additional 18 months for the sexual assaults. Under English law, he is required to serve at least two-thirds of his sentence behind bars before he can be considered for release on license, and he will remain on the sex offenders’ register for life. (news.met.police.uk), (variety.com), (cbsnews.com)

Ongoing Investigations

The legal fallout for Brand is not entirely over. Immediately following the jury’s guilty verdict, London’s Metropolitan Police confirmed they have passed files to prosecutors regarding investigations into two additional rape allegations against Brand, one of which involves a 16-year-old girl. (nbcnews.com), (youtube.com)