Comedian Russell Brand, once one of Britain's most high-profile broadcasters and a Hollywood star, was sentenced to 10-and-a-half years in prison on Monday after being convicted of raping one woman and sexually assaulting three others in offences committed around two decades ago.
Brand, the former husband of US pop singer Katy Perry, who has moved away from the mainstream in recent years, was found guilty on Thursday of committing the offences between 2004 and 2009. He had denied the charges.
The 51-year-old stood in the dock at London's Southwark Crown Court as Judge Joel Bennathan sentenced him to 10 years and six months in prison. Brand will serve two-thirds of the sentence in custody before being released on licence.
The judge described Brand as a sexual predator who believed that "fame meant you could act how you liked, when you liked, unhindered by the rules by which decent people live".
"Whatever women wear, wherever they go, indeed whatever they drink, they retain the right to say no and to demand justice from the criminal courts when sexual predators like you, Russell Brand, act without their consent," Bennathan said.
Brand mouthed "I love you" to his wife before being led down to the cells.
Police Praise Victims' Courage
Speaking outside the court, Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy of London's Metropolitan Police paid tribute to Brand's victims, saying they had shown "immense bravery, dignity and resilience".
"Their courage in coming forward has not only led to this outcome but may also give confidence to others who have suffered sexual violence to seek help and report what happened to them," he added.
The Metropolitan Police has said Brand remains under investigation in connection with two other alleged rapes, one involving a girl who was 16 at the time. The force's Commissioner, Mark Rowley, said on Friday that he "wouldn't be surprised if many more came forward".
Brand, who rose to fame as a television presenter known for his loquacious manner and flamboyant appearance, also starred in films including Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Get Him to the Greek and Arthur. He had denied ever having non-consensual sex.
In evidence, he acknowledged that he had devoted much of his life to what he described as "reckless philandering and idiocy", but maintained that sexual consent was fundamental.
However, following a four-week trial, Brand was found guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault. He was acquitted of two other rape charges and one charge of attempted indecent assault.
Brand 'Abused His Fame'
One of Brand's victims, who accused him of sexually assaulting her in 2004 and subsequently raping her, said the incident had left her traumatised. Brand was convicted of sexually assaulting her but acquitted of the rape charge.
"That undeserved feeling of shame and 'what if I had done this or done that' has been carried round inside me for over 20 years," she said in a statement delivered from behind a screen.
Another victim, whom Brand raped anally in 2009, said in a statement read by prosecutors that the trauma "often feels never-ending". She said she had not reported the attack at the time because of Brand's status.
"I felt that if I reported him, I would not be believed," she said. "His fame, wealth and influence created a power imbalance which made me feel powerless."
Prosecutor Riel Karmy-Jones told the court that "Brand abused his influence and the power that came with his fame". The trial has renewed scrutiny of how Britain's entertainment industry deals with allegations of abuse involving high-profile figures.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said on Sunday that sexual abuse remained a problem within the media industry.
Police and prosecutors, however, stressed that neither celebrity status nor the passage of time would prevent criminal proceedings from being brought.
"No matter who the abuser is, or what the situation or circumstances are, we will always take allegations of rape and sexual assault seriously," David Roberts of the Crown Prosecution Service said in a statement.
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