Russell Brand Jailed for 10 Years in UK Sex Case

Russell Brand sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison on Monday, after a London jury found him guilty of raping one woman and sexually assaulting three more in attacks from 2004 to 2009.

The 51-year-old comedian was in the dock at Southwark Crown Court as Judge Joel Bennathan passed the sentence. Brand must serve two-thirds of the term in custody before he can be freed on licence, and he stays on the sex offenders’ register for life.

Brand was once one of Britain’s best-known broadcasters and a Hollywood film star. He starred in films such as “Forgetting Sarah Marshall”, “Get Him to the Greek” and “Arthur”, and he was formerly married to US pop singer Katy Perry. In recent years he moved away from the mainstream and built a large online following.

Russell Brand sentenced after four-week trial

A jury convicted Brand on Thursday after a four-week trial. He was found guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault against four women between 2004 and 2009. He denied all the charges and maintained that his sexual encounters were consensual. The jury cleared him of two other rape charges and one charge of attempted indecent assault.

Passing sentence, Judge Bennathan called Brand a sexual predator who believed “fame meant you could act how you liked, when you liked, unhindered by the rules by which decent people live”. Brand mouthed “I love you” to his wife as dock officers led him away to the cells.

Prosecutors read out a statement from one victim, who said the trauma of the attack was “something I carry with me every day and it often feels never-ending”.

Brand’s lawyer Ian Winter told the court his client was “a fundamentally different person today and has been for a very long time”, pointing to Brand’s recovery from drink and drug addiction and his new-found Christian faith.

A Pakistan connection in the Brand case

The case carries a link that Pakistani readers will recognise. Brand once dated Jemima Goldsmith — Jemima Khan to Pakistani readers, and the former wife of ex-prime minister Imran Khan. The pair were linked in public in 2013 and were together for around a year before parting in 2014.

Jemima and Imran Khan were married from 1995 to 2004 and have two sons. Imran Khan has been in jail since August 2023, held at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi. His health and detention have continued to draw court petitions, so Brand’s sentencing puts another of Jemima’s former partners behind bars.

Feature Pakistan reported the verdict in full when the jury found Brand guilty last week. The sentencing on Monday closed the trial, but the case may not be over for Brand.

Police inquiries continue

London’s Metropolitan Police says Brand is still under investigation over two further alleged rapes, one said to involve a woman who was 16 at the time. The force’s head said on Friday he “wouldn’t be surprised if many more came forward”. Neither allegation has led to a charge.

Detectives began looking into Brand after women came forward following a joint press and television investigation in 2023, and the complainants were given lifelong anonymity.

The sentence puts Brand in prison until at least the early 2030s, even with release on licence after two-thirds of the term.

Frequently asked questions

How long was Russell Brand jailed for?

Brand was jailed for 10 years and six months. He must serve two-thirds of the sentence in custody before he can be released on licence.

What was Russell Brand convicted of?

A jury at Southwark Crown Court found him guilty of raping one woman and sexually assaulting three more between 2004 and 2009. He was cleared of two other rape charges and one charge of attempted indecent assault.

Who was the judge in the Russell Brand case?

Judge Joel Bennathan sentenced Brand. He described Brand as a sexual predator who believed fame allowed him to act as he liked.

What is Russell Brand’s connection to Pakistan?

Brand was previously in a relationship with Jemima Khan, the former wife of former prime minister Imran Khan. They were publicly linked in 2013 and separated in 2014.

Is Russell Brand still under investigation?

Yes. London’s Metropolitan Police says Brand is still under investigation over two further alleged rapes, one said to involve a woman who was 16 at the time. Neither allegation has led to a charge.