Convicted rapist Russell Brand has been jailed for more than a decade over sickening attacks on four women.
Brand, 51, was warned he faced a “significant” prison term after a jury last week found him guilty of raping one victim and sexually assaulting three others between 2004 and 2009.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Russell Brand sentenced to over 10 years for sexual assaults
Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Arrow
On Monday, in a packed Southwark Crown Court, Justice Joel Bennathan sentenced him to a prison term of 10 years and six months for his crimes.
He will serve at least two thirds of that time behind bars before being released on licence to complete the remainder of his sentence, under conditions, in the community.
He will be on the sex offender register for life.
“Today’s sentence marks a significant milestone in our investigation and means Russell Brand has been held accountable for his crimes,” Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy said.
“My thoughts today are with the women who came forward and made this investigation possible.
“Reporting sexual offences can be incredibly difficult, and they have shown immense bravery, dignity and resilience throughout what has been a lengthy investigation and challenging trial process.
“From the very beginning, our investigation was never about Russell Brand’s profile, status or celebrity. Our focus has always been on the women who reported these offences and on conducting a thorough and impartial investigation into the allegations they made.”
Be the first to know:
Russell Brand has been jailed for rape and sexual assault Credit: AAP Brand arrived wearing a grey suit and open-collar shirt with loose white tie.
His long, graying hair was pulled back and knotted in a man bun atop his head.
He said “it’ll be OK, I don’t know how, but it will” to his wife Laura Gallacher as he took a long look at his family and associates sitting behind him in the public gallery.
The court heard from his victims, who gave powerful impact statements.
The first was delivered by a woman sexually assaulted by Brand in a Soho bar in 2004.
Speaking from behind a protective curtain, she said: “I was extremely upset and traumatised.”
“It really affected how I viewed myself, I didn’t have any respect for myself and got into situations with toxic men as I didn’t have any self-worth.
“I literally lost any love for myself for a long time thinking that I was damaged goods.”
Another victim told the court Brand’s offending “has had a lasting impact on my life” even after she believed she had “successfully buried what happened”.
“Since the sexual assault carried out by him in 2005, Russell Brand has managed to move on and even forget,” she said.
Russell Brand must serve two thirds of his sentence behind bars. Credit: AAP The disgraced comedian preyed on women he encountered on his path to becoming a lauded entertainer and broadcaster, the court was told during his trial.
One victim told how a consensual encounter when she was a 21-year-old superfan turned into rape as Brand forced her suddenly into anal sex.
Another woman told how she was groped on the breasts by Brand shortly after meeting him, and a third victim said she was kissed and touched inappropriately at a radio studio in London.
The father-of-three was also convicted of a third assault after putting his head into the groin area of a Channel 4 worker without her consent.
Brand, who was acquitted of two rape counts and one count of attempted indecent assault, conceded he had led a promiscuous lifestyle but insisted all sexual interactions had been consensual.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mark Rowley said he would be unsurprised if more alleged victims come forward, with high-profile cases often leading to a surge in reporting.
Police have provided crown prosecutors with their investigation into two more rape allegations against Brand.
If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au.
– With PA