Russell Brand faces 10 years behind bars

British comedian and actor Russell Brand has been sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison after being convicted of rape and three counts of sexual assault following a trial in London.

The 51-year-old was sentenced on November 9 at Southwark Crown Court, four days after a jury found him guilty of four sexual offences involving four women.

The offences took place between 2004 and 2009, according to London’s Metropolitan Police. The convictions include one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault.

Brand was also facing two additional rape charges and one count of attempted indecent assault. However, the jury acquitted him of all three charges.

The comedian had denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty throughout the legal proceedings. The trial lasted four weeks and examined accusations brought forward by several women.

Following the guilty verdicts on November 5, Brand was remanded in custody ahead of his sentencing hearing. The judge, Mr Justice Joel Bennathan, refused to grant him bail, meaning he remained behind bars until the court delivered its final decision.

One of the rape convictions related to an incident in 2009 involving a woman who had met Brand at the Hammersmith Apollo in London. She told the court that although she initially expected consensual sexual activity, Brand subsequently assaulted her.

The case attracted considerable attention because of Brand’s prominence as a comedian, actor and television personality. Allegations against him had previously prompted widespread public scrutiny and a police investigation.

With the sentencing now announced, Brand will serve a substantial prison term following his conviction on four sexual offence charges.