‘Sexual predator’ Russell Brand jailed for 10 years

British comedian and TV star Russell Brand was on Monday jailed for more than 10 years for a string of sex offenses including rape, as the judge told him he had been a “sexual predator” whose fame had protected him.

Brand, 51, showed no emotion as judge Joel Bennathan said he had acted with “staggering arrogance” and shown “contempt” for his victims, who had sustained significant and lasting harm.

“About 20 years ago Russell Brand, you were becoming famous, you were clever, and in many people’s eyes you were funny and charismatic. You had also become a sexual predator,” he said.

British comedian and actor Russell Brand arrives for the start of his trial at Southwark Crown Court in London on Oct. 12.

Photo: AFP

The judge said Brand’s status protected him until he was exposed in 2023 by journalists from the Sunday Times, the Times and the Channel 4 Dispatches program, leading to women coming forward to make complaints to police.

Bennathan paid tribute to the “determination and bravery” of the women, adding that Brand had repeatedly acted “how you liked and when you liked, unhindered by the rules by which decent people live.”

Brand’s wife, Laura Gallacher, with whom he has three children, slumped in her seat in the public gallery of London’s Southwark Crown Court as the total sentence of 10 years and six months was announced.

Brand told his wife, who has supported him in court throughout the case: “We’ll be OK,” before being led down to the cells.

The disgraced star was convicted by a jury last week of one rape and three sexual assaults committed against four women from 2004 to 2009.

Brand, who has reinvented himself as an online Christian guru, held a string of prayer beads and made the sign of the cross before one of his victims personally read out her impact statement from behind a screen.

She said she had been left “traumatized” by the assault in a London bar in 2004.

“For many years as his star was rising it was impossible to escape seeing him all over the media, being celebrated for his disgusting behavior against women like it was all a joke,” she told the court.

A second woman, a 21-year-old fan he raped in 2009 after they met at one of his shows, told the court she had felt she simply would “not be believed” if she reported him.

“His fame, wealth and influence created a power imbalance which made me feel powerless,” she said.

The hearing came as British Prime Minister Andy Burnham pledged to be “relentless in making whatever improvements we can” to provide more support for victims.

Brand was cleared of two other alleged rapes and one count of attempted indecent assault. However, he is facing further investigations after London police revealed rape allegations by two more women.