Russell Brand sentenced to 10-and-a-half years in prison for rape and sexual assault

Russell Brand has been sentenced to 10 years and 6 months in prison for one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault.

The English comedian and actor was sentenced today following his guilty verdict at Southwark Crown Court last Thursday.

Brand will serve nine years for his charge of anally raping a woman at his London home in 2009,  which he will serve consecutively with three other charges. These charges will be served concurrently to each other.

He will serve 9 months for count three, sexually assaulting a woman when he grabbed her breasts at a London bar in 2004.

He will serve 18 months for count 5, where he sexually assaulted a woman at the Choice FM studios in London in either 2004 or 2005, when he grabbed her face and kissed her before groping her breasts and behind.

He will serve 8 months for count 7, sexually assaulting a woman he worked with on a Channel 4 project in 2009, where he laid his head on her groin area without her consent.

According to the British Sentencing Council, he will spend two-thirds of his sentence in custody. The Council states that offenders jailed for four years or more for certain serious violent or sexual offences will be released at the two-thirds point of the sentence.

The sentencing judge, Mr Justice Bennathan, described Brand as a "sexual predator" in his closing remarks.

"About 20 years ago, Russell Brand, you were becoming famous.

"You were clever – and in many people's eyes, funny and charismatic.

"You had also become a sexual predator.

"Whatever women wear, wherever they go, whatever they drink, they retain the right to say no and demand justice in the criminal courts when sexual predators like you, Mr Brand, act without their consent," he later added.

Following his release, he will likely spend the rest of his sentence on licence, and will have to abide by a series of rules, such as wearing a tag.

The original allegations were made public in 2023, following a special investigative report by Channel 4's Dispatches, The Times, and The Sunday Times into Brand's behaviour during his time at Channel 4 and the BBC.

Louisa Compton, director of news, digital and audience trust for Channel 4 released a statement following the sentencing.

"The courage of these women who gave evidence through the criminal justice system and those who trusted our Channel 4 and The Sunday Times/The Times journalists with deeply personal testimony should never be underestimated.

"Today, and throughout the trial, we have heard of the trauma suffered by the women in this case. Above all else, we commend their bravery.

"This case is also a powerful demonstration of why investigative journalism matters. The women who trusted the original Dispatches investigation helped give others the confidence to come forward.

"That is an extraordinary legacy of their decision to speak out. We owe them an enormous debt of gratitude and Channel 4 will continue to back rigorous, fearless public-interest journalism that gives people a voice and holds power to account."

Originally accused of seven offences, Brand was cleared of two additional rape charges and one attempted indecent assault charge last Thursday.

Two additional rape allegations against Brand have since come to light, which are now being investigated.