Russell Brand handed 10-year jail sentence for raping woman at his London home and three sexual assaults

Russell Brand was jailed for 10 years and six months on Monday for raping one of his fans at his London home and sexual assaults on three other women.

The former comedian and actor, now 51, was sentenced at Southwark Crown Court after being found guilty last Thursday of raping a woman in 2009, as well as sexually assaulting female TV and radio workers between 2004 and 2009.

Russell Brand outside Southwark Crown Court before being found guilty of rape and three sexual assaults

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Passing sentencing, judge Mr Justice Bennathan told Brand he had become a “sexual predator” as he was starting to become famous.

He added that Brand had “a casual and arrogant disregard for a woman’s right to say no to you”.

The judge stressed that he had a “belief that fame meant you could act how you liked, when you liked, unhindered by the rules by which decent people live”.

Passing sentencing, Mr Justice Bennathan told Brand he had become a “sexual predator” as he found fame

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His rape victim explained how “every update regarding the case brought back memories of the incident and felt like reopening old wounds”.

Brand had been sent straight to prison last week over fears he would abscond instead of returning to court.

A prisoner van pictured leaving HMP Wandsworth where it is believed Brand was being held ahead of sentencing

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He was convicted of raping a 21-year-old fan in 2009 at his London home after meeting her following one of his stand-up shows at the Hammersmith Apollo.

Another woman told the court how her breasts were groped by Brand in the Nordic bar in Soho, just seconds after she was introduced to him at a 2004 party.

In 2005, Brand kissed and groped a third woman during a visit to the Capital Radio studios in London, pouncing on her as she walked out of a room.

Brand was also convicted of putting his head into the groin of a female Channel 4 worker, after she had been forced to give him a massage in 2009.