British comedian and actor Russell Brand has been sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison by a London court after being convicted of rape and three counts of sexual assault involving four women between 2004 and 2009.
The sentence was handed down on Monday, November 9, at Southwark Crown Court in London, after a four-week trial over offences committed between 2004 and 2009.
Brand, 51, was found guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault involving four women. He was acquitted of two other rape charges and one count of attempted indecent assault.
The comedian denied the charges, maintaining that his sexual encounters were consensual. Under the sentence, he is expected to serve two-thirds of the term in custody before being released on licence.
During the sentencing hearing, Judge Joel Bennathan described Brand as a sexual predator who believed his celebrity status placed him above the rules governing others.
The women who testified against Brand described the lasting psychological effects of the assaults, with some saying his fame and influence made them feel powerless and reluctant to report the incidents at the time.
Russell Brand rose to prominence as a stand-up comedian and television presenter before establishing a career in Hollywood, appearing in films including Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Get Him to the Greek and Arthur. He had previously been married to American singer Katy Perry.
