The comedian Russell Brand, who was once one of the most prominent presenters in the United Kingdom, was sentenced on Monday, November 9, to ten and a half years in prison after being found guilty of raping a woman and sexually assaulting three others two decades ago.

First modification: 11/09/2026 - 21:23 Last modification: 11/09/2026 - 21:37

British comedian and actor Russell Brand was sentenced Monday to 10 years and six months in prison for raping one woman and sexually assaulting three others, with the judge telling 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 had shown "contempt" for his victims, who had suffered significant and lasting harm.

Paying tribute to the "bravery" of the women who dared to come forward, the judge told Brand that he had acted "as he wanted and when he wanted, without being limited by the rules by which decent people are governed."

The 51-year-old actor and comedian, known for his outrageous stand-up routines and behavior on television and radio shows, as well as his problems with drugs and alcohol, had claimed to be innocent and that all of his encounters had been consensual.

But a jury of eight men and four women found him guilty of assaulting four of the six accusers in allegations dating back to 2004. He was acquitted of two counts of rape and one count of attempted sexual assault.

Brand told his wife, who has supported him in court throughout the process, "We'll be fine," as he was led to the cells.

This sentence marks the final fall in a scandal-plagued artistic career, in which he embodied the "anything goes" culture of British television and radio in the 2000s.

Brand, who has reinvented himself as an online Christian guru, held a rosary and crossed himself before one of his victims personally read his impact statement from behind a screen.

The woman claimed to have been "traumatized" by the attack she suffered in a London bar in 2004.

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"For many years, as his fame grew, it was impossible to avoid seeing him in all media, being hailed for his disgusting behavior against women as if it were all a joke," he told the court. Brand listened impassively, staring straight ahead.

Read alsoTrial against actor Russell Brand for rape: Prosecutor's Office accuses him of being a “relentless sexual predator”

"Fame, wealth and influence", what lies behind the abuse

A second woman, a 21-year-old fan whom he raped in 2009 after meeting at one of his concerts, told the court that she felt she simply "wouldn't be believed" if she reported him.

"Their fame, wealth and influence created a power imbalance that made me feel powerless," she said, adding that the fallout from the rape had "affected almost every aspect of my life."

The hearing took place as Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the bravery of the victims would lead to wider changes in the legal system.

Burnham pledged to be “relentless in making every possible improvement” to provide greater support for victims, including creating teams in every police force to tackle cases of rape and serious sexual offences.

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Brand was acquitted of two other counts of alleged rape and one count of attempted sexual assault. However, she faces fresh investigations after London police announced they were investigating rape allegations made by two other women.

From Channel 4 to MTV and an eponymous primetime show on 'BBC' Radio 2, the wild-haired comedian worked for major British media companies in the 2000s, where his obsession with sex contributed to his notoriety.

Brand denied the charges, but admitted to being "extremely promiscuous" and using his fame to "facilitate sexual access."

'Wake up call'

Born in 1975 in Essex, east London, to a working-class family, Brand dropped out of drama school before joining MTV at age 25.

He had his own radio show on the BBC, which last week apologized for the "culture and failings" that existed when Brand worked there between 2006 and 2008.

Brand left the 'BBC' after sending sexually explicit messages to a well-known actor in which he confessed to having had sexual relations with his granddaughter.

After a brief marriage in 2010 to the American pop star Katy Perry, he took his first steps in Hollywood, and later worked as a left-wing commentator and activist.

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The court found him guilty of sexual assaults against an MTV worker, a Channel 4 worker and a Capital Radio employee, as well as raping a fan.

Organizations that supported Brand for years are now facing questions about how he was able to stay in office for so long.

Britain's Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, Lisa Nandy, said on Sunday that men in positions of power continue to exploit women in the media industry, calling her case a "wake-up call."

With AFP, Reuters and AP

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