Russell Brand has been sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison after being convicted of rape and multiple counts of sexual assault. The sentencing took place at Southwark Crown Court.

Brand, 51, was found guilty of the charges, which involved four women and occurred between 2004 and 2009. The convictions include one count of rape, with additional sentences for three counts of sexual assault.

During the sentencing, Judge Joel Bennathan described Brand as a "sexual predator" and criticized his "staggering arrogance." The judge noted that Brand's celebrity status had protected him until 2023, when allegations surfaced and led to formal complaints. The court heard victim impact statements detailing the prolonged distress and trauma experienced by the women.

Brand received a nine-year sentence for the rape, an 18-month sentence for one sexual assault, a nine-month sentence for another sexual assault, and an eight-month sentence for a third sexual assault. The judge stated that Brand harbored a "casual arrogant disregard to any woman's right to say no." The court also heard that Brand's "entourage" during his peak celebrity indulged his "dreadful behaviour."

Brand did not react visibly when the sentence was delivered. Before being taken into custody, he mouthed "I love you" to his wife, Laura Brand, who was present in the courtroom. The judge also commended the bravery of the women who testified during the trial.

According to sentencing guidelines, offenders jailed for four years or more for certain serious violent or sexual offenses are eligible for release at the two-thirds point of their sentence. For Brand, this would mean release after seven years. However, sex offenders and murderers are exempt from this early release scheme. Therefore, Brand is likely to serve the remainder of his sentence on license, subject to strict conditions, including the potential use of an electronic tag.

The specific assaults for which Brand was convicted include an anal rape of a 21-year-old woman in 2009, grabbing a woman's breasts at a bar in 2004, grabbing a woman's face and touching her breasts and bottom at a radio studio in 2004 or 2005, and laying his head into a woman's groin area without consent while working on a Channel 4 project in 2009.

Victim impact statements shared in court described years of shock, turmoil, and self-doubt. One victim stated she had been "extremely upset and traumatised" and felt she was "damaged goods," fearing she might send the wrong signals. The judge highlighted that Brand's fame contributed to his belief that he could act as he pleased, irrespective of consent.