Russell Brand is sentenced to 10 and a half years in prison for rape and sexual assault

The comedian, who is the ex-husband of American pop singer Katy Perry and who, in recent years, has distanced himself from the media, was convicted on Thursday of the rape of a woman and the sexual assault of three others, between 2004 and 2009.

According to Reuters, Brand remained in the dock at Southwark Crown Court in London on Monday while Judge Joel Bennathan handed down the sentence. The judge described the comedian as a predator who believed that "fame meant he could act as he pleased, whenever he pleased."

London's Metropolitan Police reported that Brand is being investigated for two other alleged rapes, one of them involving a girl who was 16 years old at the time.

The head of the corporation declared, on Friday, that "he would not be surprised if many other people came forward with complaints".

The comedian, once one of the UK's best-known presenters, has denied all allegations. According to him, the relationships were consensual or the episodes reported by the complainants were distorted or reinterpreted. In addition to the conviction, he was acquitted of two other charges of rape and attempted indecent exposure.

The actor testified at the end of October. Russell appeared in court as a witness, took the oath, and then gave his full name: Russell Edward Brand. According to information from "The Associated Press", the actor denied all charges: three of rape, three of sexual assault and one of attempted indecent exposure.

"Today is the day of truth and justice," he said upon arriving at the scene accompanied by his wife, Laura Brand.

Under questioning from his lawyer, Ian Winter, Brand said the allegations had had a "devastating" impact. "My entire life has been consumed by these events, these allegations, these accusations," he said. According to Reuters, the actor also stated that he was abandoned by all his friends, and that no one wanted to testify in his favor.

During his testimony, Brand stated that he was banned from staying with his baby son in the hospital after anonymous accusations of sexual misconduct against him were published in a newspaper and in a TV documentary in 2023.

As the defense lawyer questioned Brand about each of the alleged incidents, which his accusers said took place in places including a hotel room, the MTV offices and the bathroom of a London bar, he denied forcing women to do anything against their will.