LONDON, ENGLAND (THECOUNT) — British actor and comedian Russell Brand appeared Monday at Southwark Crown Court, where a judge determined how much time he will spend behind bars.
Brand, 51, was sentenced to 10 years, 6 months on Monday, November 9. The judge’s ruling followed a four-week trial in which jurors found Brand guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault. The offenses occurred between 2004 and 2009.
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Two officers escorted Brand into Courtroom 1 at Southwark Crown Court and placed him in the dock, an enclosed area reserved for defendants. Wearing a tweed suit and white shirt, Brand turned toward his wife, Laura, who was seated behind the dock, and asked, “Are you ok?”
The convictions involved four women. Jurors acquitted Brand of two additional counts of rape and one count of attempted indecent assault. He denied the charges and maintained that his sexual encounters were consensual.
Following the guilty verdicts on November 5, Judge Joel Bennathan warned Brand that he faced a significant custodial term. The judge denied a defense request for bail, and Brand was taken into custody to await sentencing.
The case involved allegations dating back more than two decades, during a period when Brand was rising to prominence as a comedian, television and radio personality, and actor. Prosecutors argued that he used his fame and influence to exploit women.
The Metropolitan Police said the investigation involved more than 100 witnesses, hundreds of statements and a review of more than 1,400 documents. Authorities have also said they are investigating separate allegations involving two additional women.
Southwark Crown Court is located in the Southwark area of central London, on the south bank of the River Thames.
Approximate Google Maps location: Southwark Crown Court, London
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