British comedian and actor Russell Brand was sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison after being convicted of raping one woman and sexually assaulting three others.
Delivering the sentencing remarks at Southwark Crown Court, Judge Joel Bennathan noted that the crimes coincided with Brand’s rise to stardom, stating that the actor had displayed a “casual and arrogant disregard” when women refused him.
“About 20 years ago, Russell Brand, you were becoming famous,” Judge Bennathan said. “You were clever and in many people’s eyes, funny and charismatic. You had also become a sexual predator.”
The 51-year-old entertainer widely recognized for his television and radio broadcasts, public battles with drugs and alcohol, and flamboyant stand-up routines maintained his innocence throughout the trial, claiming all sexual encounters were consensual. However, a jury consisting of eight men and four women found him guilty of attacks against four of six accusers regarding allegations dating back to 2004. He was acquitted of two counts of rape and one count of attempted indecent assault. (Newswire/ France24)