What happened
DEVELOPING STORY. DEVELOPING STORY, News UK court hands comedian Russell Brand 10.5 years for rape, sexual assault UK court hands comedian Russell Brand 10.5 years for rape, sexual assault British comedian and actor Russell Brand is sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison after being convicted for rape and sexual assaults London’s Southwark Crown Court handed down the sentence on Monday.
What we know
Brand was convicted last week of raping one woman and sexually assaulting three more between 2004 and 2009. The British media personality, known for outrageous stand-up routines and battles with drugs and alcohol, asserted that he was innocent and that all his encounters were consensual. However, a jury of eight men and four women on Thursday convicted him of attacks on four of six accusers. He was cleared of two counts of rape and one count of attempted indecent assault. His victims delivered powerful statements during the sentencing hearing, describing the trauma his attacks had caused. ‘Predator’ Brand was 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”, Judge Joel Bennathan said at the sentencing hearing. He showed “casual and arrogant disregard” for women, Bennathan added. “About 20 years ago, Russell Brand, you were becoming famous,” he said. “You were clever — and in many people’s eyes, funny and charismatic. You had also become a sexual predator.” The 51-year-old Brand, who had sought during the trial to present himself as a newly devout Christian, showed little emotion during the hearing. He has denied ever having non-consensual sex.
Originally reported by Al Jazeera.
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