A British court sentenced Russell Brand to 10 1/2 years in prison for raping one woman and sexually assaulting three others.
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Russell Brand was sentenced Monday to 10 1/2 years in prison after being convicted of raping one woman and sexually assaulting three others.
The judge, Joel Bennathan, told Brand that he showed a “casual and arrogant disregard” for any woman who said no to him.
In court, Bennathan said, “About 20 years ago, Russell Brand, you were becoming famous… You were clever — and in many people’s eyes, funny and charismatic. You had also become a sexual predator.”
The 51-year-old actor-comedian, who maintained his innocence and said all his encounters were consensual, was found guilty by a jury of eight men and four women.
The jury’s guilty verdicts related to allegations dating back to 2004; Brand was cleared of two counts of rape and one count of attempted indecent assault.
Prosecutor Riel Karmy-Jones said Brand abused the influence and power that came with his fame, adding, “He used it to facilitate access to women without which the offending could not have taken place. It also fed his own view that he could commit such offenses with impunity.”
At sentencing, Brand showed little emotion and turned to his wife, Laura, saying “we’ll be OK” after he stood up and was led away by court officers.
Brand had been free during the trial but was jailed following Thursday’s verdict, according to the court account provided in the report.
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