Russell Brand is facing a fresh police investigation into alleged sexual abuse, it can now be reported, one day after the comedian and actor was described as a “staggeringly arrogant” sexual predator and sentenced to more than a decade in prison.
Police have received “multiple reports” since Brand, 51, was convicted of raping one woman and sexually assaulting three others.
Former girlfriend Jemima Goldsmith, 52, came forward last night with allegations of “violence, coercive control and abuse”. She said a “violent incident” in 2014 left her so frightened that she contacted police and asked them to remove Brand from her £15million Cotswolds home.
Brand displayed no visible emotion during sentencing as the judge said he had used his celebrity status to prey on women, acting as though “fame meant you could act how you liked, when you liked, unhindered by the rules by which decent people live”.
Sitting in the dock, Brand blinked in apparent disbelief after being told he would serve at least seven years of a ten-and-a-half-year sentence for attacks on four women between 2004 and 2009.
His wife, Laura Gallacher, visibly collapsed forward in the public gallery and fought back tears. Before Brand was taken to the cells, he mouthed, “I love you, we’ll be OK.” Gallacher placed her hand against the glass dock and quietly replied, “I love you.”
The mother of three later left court wearing sunglasses to conceal her red-rimmed eyes, as she faced questions about her decision to continue supporting her husband.
When Brand was driven away from Southwark Crown Court in a prison van, members of the public struck the vehicle’s windows. One man shouted: “Not so funny now, Russell, are you?”
Russell Brand faces a new investigation into abuse allegations after being sentenced to more than ten years in prison
Laura mouthed “I love you” to Brand as he waved before being taken to the cells
Jemima Goldsmith, pictured with Brand in 2013, has alleged “violence, coercive control and abuse” and said a massage therapist was kept silent for more than a decade
Brand showed little emotion as the judge said he had exploited his fame to prey on women
Laura Gallacher was escorted through the crowd and into a waiting Mercedes after her husband was jailed
The mother of three leaned forward after hearing that Brand had received a sentence of more than ten years
She held hands with a friend and appeared to fight back tears while leaving court
Brand could now face a second trial as detectives assess a series of new allegations. Prosecutors are expected to decide within weeks whether to charge him over two further alleged rapes, one involving a 16-year-old.
Mr Justice Bennathan said Brand had shown a “casual arrogant disregard to any woman’s right to say no to you”. Addressing him, he said: “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.”
The judge condemned Brand’s “staggering arrogance” and his apparent belief that his status would protect him. He also criticised the defendant for attacking journalists after their investigations into the allegations were published in 2023, and denounced members of Brand’s entourage for tolerating “dreadful behaviour” while staff allegedly laughed or failed to act.
He praised the victims for their “determination and bravery”, saying they had been forced to endure claims that they had lied, distorted events or consented to Brand’s sexual demands. “That was all done because of you, on your instructions,” he told the defendant.
Mr Justice Bennathan also rejected rape myths raised during the defence case, after Brand’s barrister suggested the women should not be believed because they had not screamed, kicked or slapped him more forcefully.
The judge said: “Whatever women wear, wherever they go, indeed whatever they drink, they retain the right to say no and to demand justice from the criminal courts when sexual predators like you, Russell Brand, act without their consent.”
Brand’s barrister, Ian Winter KC, was paid about £1million for the defence, according to legal sources cited by Our News Outlet. The fraud specialist was reportedly brought in after several leading female barristers declined to represent Brand.
The decision was followed by controversy when Mr Winter launched a profanity-laced attack on the journalist whose investigation helped expose the allegations. After the verdict, he reportedly told her that she had “f*****” justice. The Bar Standards Board is now examining the incident.
A court artist’s sketch shows Laura watching as her husband was sentenced for sex offences
Brand is pictured in the foreground, with Laura to the left, his father Ron to the right and his bodyguard behind them
Brand appeared with his wife at Southwark Crown Court last Thursday, hours before the guilty verdicts
Ronald Brand, Russell’s father, told reporters that his son was the real victim of the trial
Two Brand supporters wept outside court following his sentencing for four sexual attacks
The supporters held up a banner outside the court
Members of the public shouted at a security van believed to be carrying Brand, striking its side and yelling, “Not so funny now, Russell”
Brand’s crucifix was visible through the prison van window as he was driven away
Russell Brand and his father Ron appeared in a 2002 interview discussing nights with “prostitutes in Hong Kong”
Andy Burnham has promised to pursue legal changes, saying he would be “relentless in making whatever improvements” are needed to strengthen support for victims. During sentencing, Mr Winter argued that Brand had been unfairly portrayed as a “monster” and should instead be viewed as a man who experienced a “short, momentary total failure” to respect a woman’s consent.
Although Brand was convicted of rape, Mr Winter told the court that his client should not be sentenced as someone portrayed over the previous four days as, “in general terms, a rapist”. He said Brand’s wife, Laura — the sister of television presenter Kirsty Gallacher and daughter of Ryder Cup-winning golfer Bernard Gallacher — was devastated and struggling to explain the situation to their children.
“I’m afraid words are completely inadequate to truly try to convey to your Lordship the total devastation she’s experiencing,” he said. “Currently they are wrestling with how to exactly explain to a child who’s just turned ten what has happened here.”
Brand will serve two-thirds of his sentence before being released on licence.
He is expected to discuss a possible appeal with his lawyers, although legal sources say the jury’s mixed verdicts may make that difficult.
Brand was convicted of rape and three sexual assaults, but acquitted of two additional rape charges and an allegation of attempted indecent assault.
One legal source said: “In a way it would have been easier for Winter if there had been a clean sweep of guilty verdicts. At least then he could have argued that Brand did not receive a fair trial because of the Channel 4 Dispatches and Sunday Times investigation.
“The mixed verdicts show the jury reached its decisions on the facts, regardless of the media attention, which makes an appeal very tricky.”
After the sentencing, Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy urged anyone with further information about Brand to contact police.
He said: “I want to make a direct appeal to anyone who has been a victim of rape or any other sexual offence.
“We know it can take enormous courage to speak about what has happened to you, no matter how long ago it occurred or who was responsible.
“If you come forward, you will be listened to, supported and treated with care and compassion.”
How did Russell Brand become a predator, and what happens next? Get exclusive insight from The Crime Desk, featuring interviews with police, psychologists, lawyers and others. Sign up by clicking here.
READ MORE
