Bored Panda works better on our iPhone app
Continue in app Continue in browser

The Bored Panda iOS app is live! Fight boredom with iPhones and iPads here.

Russell Brand Learns His Fate For His Horrific Crimes, But Some People Are Furious Over His Sentence
Russell Brand wearing a grey suit jacket and sunglasses while stepping out of a dark vehicle outdoors.

Russell Brand Learns His Fate For His Horrific Crimes, But Some People Are Furious Over His Sentence

27

ADVERTISEMENT

British comedian Russell Brand consistently maintained that his encounters with six women who accused him of misconduct between 1999 and 2009 had been consensual.

Nevertheless, his defence failed to persuade a 12-member jury during proceedings that lasted from October 14 to November 3 and involved seven charges.

The 51-year-old’s actions caught up with him on November 5, as he was found guilty of one count of forced physical contact and three other offences, before learning his fate in a defining moment today (November 9).

Highlights
  • Russell Brand was sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison after being found guilty of four offences.
  • The judge called the comedian a “s**ual predator,” while prosecutors praised the women who came forward.
  • Some social media users questioned the sentence, arguing that the UK justice system treats people differently based on their backgrounds.

Some social media users, however, argued that Brand’s sentencing exposed a double standard in the UK justice system, claiming it treated people of color more harshly than British citizens.

“The UK went after Russell Brand but not migrant r*pe gangs,” one user commented.

RELATED:

    Russell Brand’s prison sentence sparked outrage and debate over the UK’s justice system

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Zeynep Demir/Anadolu via Getty Images

    Brand was sentenced to 10 years and six months behind bars at Southwark Crown Court in London.

    Judge Joel Bennathan described the comedian as a “s**ual predator” who had told a “series of lies” during the proceedings. 

    He also highlighted Brand’s “staggering arrogance” in the way he had treated the victims.

    Alberto Pezzali/Getty Images

    Addressing an incident at a London bar in 2004, per TMZ, the judge accused Brand of lying about grabbing a woman’s breasts.

    He noted that the experience had left her feeling sick and traumatized whenever she encountered the comedian on television afterwards.

    Another incident involved a woman at the Choice FM studios in either 2004 or 2005.

    Brand had allegedly grabbed her face, kissed her and touched her breasts and bottom in front of other people.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Brand received nine years for the forced intimate contact conviction, with additional terms of nine months, 18 months and eight months for the three other offences.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    The latter penalties will run concurrently with one another but consecutively to the nine-year term.

    According to Sentencing Council guidelines, Brand is expected to serve approximately two-thirds of his sentence in custody before being released on license.

    A faction of netizens, though, feel Brand was targeted by the UK’s justice system for being white. 

    “This trial was nonsense, just like the Johnny Depp trial was. The UK courts have some serious issues,” one said. 

    “Scary. This is weaponizing the court system,” added another. 

    Metropolitan Police and Crown Prosecution Service thanked the women who came forward for their courage

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Sky News

    Metropolitan Police Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy thanked the complainants for their “bravery, dignity and resilience” throughout the investigation following Brand’s sentencing.

    He described the outcome as a significant milestone, adding that the women had endured considerable public scrutiny while revisiting distressing experiences.

    Crown Prosecution Service senior prosecutor David Roberts also acknowledged the women whose accounts had been central to securing Brand’s convictions.

    Guardian News

    In a statement shared with the press, he said, “They did not know each other, and each has carried what happened to them for almost two decades.”

    He recognized the emotional difficulty of giving evidence and being questioned about deeply personal experiences in court, describing their participation as an “extraordinary display of courage.”

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT

    Gage Skidmore

    Roberts acknowledged that the punishment could not undo the hardships they had endured but expressed hope that the outcome would provide some measure of justice.

    He further echoed the judge’s characterization of Brand, calling him a “manipulative s**ual predator” who had used his growing fame and influence to pursue women without considering their wishes or the consequences of his behavior.

    Brand had previously admitted to using his fame selfishly

    Alberto Pezzali/Getty Images

    Throughout the trial, Brand’s defense barrister, Ian Winter, questioned the complainants’ accounts, including whether their recollections had been influenced by extensive media coverage surrounding the allegations.

    Prosecutor Riel Karmy Jones strongly disagreed with the suggestion, questioning whether six women could independently have been influenced into presenting similar experiences.

    A pivotal moment in the proceedings came when Brand himself took the stand to testify.

    Russell Brand

    He acknowledged that he had sometimes misused his fame “very, very selfishly.”

    Nevertheless, he insisted that consent had always been central to his intimate relationships, describing it as “fundamental, essential, necessary.”

    Two of Brand’s victims shared statements following the sentencing.

    One expressed gratitude to the police and prosecution teams for taking her testimony seriously, while another said, “I finally feel believed.”

    “He is a monster,” a social media user said about Brand

    Poll Question

    Total votes ·

    Thanks! Check out the results:

    Total votes ·
    Share on Facebook
    Seema Sinha
    Seema Sinha

    Writer, News Writer

    Read more »

    News writer with over two years of professional experience covering celebrity news, film and television developments, and viral phenomena. My expertise lies in source verification and storytelling that focuses on the why behind the moment. Skilled in social media monitoring and SEO optimization, I produce timely, engaging content that resonates with readers while maintaining editorial integrity.

    Read less »
    Seema Sinha
    Seema Sinha

    Writer, News Writer

    News writer with over two years of professional experience covering celebrity news, film and television developments, and viral phenomena. My expertise lies in source verification and storytelling that focuses on the why behind the moment. Skilled in social media monitoring and SEO optimization, I produce timely, engaging content that resonates with readers while maintaining editorial integrity.

    What do you think ?
    Ace
    Community Member
    Premium
    55 minutes ago

    Ridiculous headline BP. " Some People Are Furious Over His Sentence ". No, just a couple of obvious racists using it to have a dig at immigrants, in one case suggesting that “migrant râpe gangs” (which really tells you all you need to know about them, phrasing it in that way) are not treated as harshly as him, that he's getting it worse because he's white.. What these sort of people never do is actually compare sentencing on a like-for-like basis, looking at the sentencing guidelines and listening to what the judge has actually said.

    G A
    Community Member
    27 minutes ago

    There are people DEFENDING this slimeball without any sense of irony. They need their fvcking heads examined.

    Load More Replies...
    Robert T
    Community Member
    49 minutes ago

    There will likely be more cases come forward and if convicted, his sentence will be increased.

    Kate Johnson
    Community Member
    39 minutes ago

    Since they are considering charging him with additional offenses, I'd say that's a good start.

    Load More Comments
    Ace
    Community Member
    Premium
    55 minutes ago

    Ridiculous headline BP. " Some People Are Furious Over His Sentence ". No, just a couple of obvious racists using it to have a dig at immigrants, in one case suggesting that “migrant râpe gangs” (which really tells you all you need to know about them, phrasing it in that way) are not treated as harshly as him, that he's getting it worse because he's white.. What these sort of people never do is actually compare sentencing on a like-for-like basis, looking at the sentencing guidelines and listening to what the judge has actually said.

    G A
    Community Member
    27 minutes ago

    There are people DEFENDING this slimeball without any sense of irony. They need their fvcking heads examined.

    Load More Replies...
    Robert T
    Community Member
    49 minutes ago

    There will likely be more cases come forward and if convicted, his sentence will be increased.

    ADVERTISEMENT
    Kate Johnson
    Community Member
    39 minutes ago

    Since they are considering charging him with additional offenses, I'd say that's a good start.

    Load More Comments
    Related on Bored Panda
    Popular on Bored Panda
    Trending on Bored Panda
    Also on Bored Panda
    ADVERTISEMENT