Russell Brand sentenced to 10 years and 6 months for rape and sexual assaults

As of 9:54 p.m. ET, Monday, Nov. 9, 2026

LONDON — Russell Brand was sentenced Monday to 10 years and six months in prison for raping one woman and sexually assaulting three others, Mr Justice Bennathan ruled at Southwark Crown Court, according to BBC News, The Associated Press and The Guardian.

Brand was convicted Thursday, Nov. 5, of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault, and cleared of two counts of rape and one count of attempted indecent assault, the Crown Prosecution Service and the BBC reported. The offences concerned four women and took place between 2004 and 2009, the CPS said.

The Guardian reported that the judge set the rape sentence at nine years and passed terms of nine months, 18 months and eight months for the three sexual assaults. The three sexual assault terms run concurrently with one another but consecutively to the rape sentence, making a total of 10 years and six months, the BBC reported. The Guardian reported that the judge reduced the sentence by one year for mitigating factors. The Independent, citing the Press Association, reported that Brand will serve at least two-thirds of the sentence, as the judge told the court. The Guardian reported that this means he must serve two-thirds before he becomes eligible for parole.

Prosecutors had asked the court to treat the rape as a category one offence, the Guardian reported.

In his remarks, Bennathan told Brand that "about 20 years ago ... you were becoming famous," and "you had also become a sexual predator," according to AP and The Independent. The Independent reported that he accused Brand of showing a "casual, arrogant disregard for any woman's right to say no." The BBC reported that the judge said Brand told a "series of lies" and showed "staggering arrogance," adding: "Your entourage indulged your dreadful behaviour."

Brand showed no emotion as he was sentenced and mouthed "I love you" to his wife, Laura, the BBC reported. AP reported he mouthed "we'll be OK" to her. His defence barrister told the court earlier Monday that Brand was "a fundamentally different person today," the BBC reported.

Brand denied all charges at trial. AP reported he maintained his innocence and testified that all his encounters were consensual. No statement from Brand or his lawyers on the sentence or any appeal had been reported as of Monday evening.

Under UK law, victims of sexual offences have lifelong anonymity, and GROKsiNEWS.com does not name the complainants. The Independent reported that the Metropolitan Police are investigating further allegations against Brand; no charges from those inquiries were part of Monday's sentencing.