This article contains references to rape and sexual assault.
British comedian and TV star Russell Brand was jailed overnight for more than 10 years for a string of sex offences including rape, as the judge told him he had been a "sexual predator" whose fame had protected him.
Brand, 51, showed no emotion as judge Joel Bennathan said he had acted with "staggering arrogance" and shown "contempt" for his victims, who had suffered significant and lasting harm.
"About 20 years ago Russell Brand, you were becoming famous, you were clever, and in many people's eyes you were funny and charismatic. You had also become a sexual predator," he said.
The judge said Brand's status protected him until journalists from the Sunday Times, The Times and the Channel 4 Dispatches program exposed him in 2023, leading women to come forward with complaints to police.
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
Bennathan paid tribute to the "determination and bravery" of the women, adding Brand had repeatedly acted "how you liked and when you liked, unhindered by the rules by which decent people live".
Brand's wife Laura Gallacher, with whom he has three children, slumped in her seat in the public gallery of London's Southwark Crown Court as the total sentence of 10 years and six months was announced.
Brand told his wife, who has supported him in court throughout the case, "we'll be OK", before being led down to the cells.
The disgraced star was convicted by a jury last week of one rape and three sexual assaults committed against four women between 2004 and 2009.
Brand, who has reinvented himself as an online Christian guru, held a string of prayer beads and made the sign of the cross before one of his victims personally read out her impact statement from behind a screen.
She said she had been left "traumatised" by the assault in a London bar in 2004.
"For many years as his star was rising it was impossible to escape seeing him all over the media, being celebrated for his disgusting behaviour against women like it was all a joke," she told the court.
A second woman, a 21-year-old fan he raped in 2009 after they met at one of his shows, told the court she had felt she simply would "not be believed" if she reported him.
"His fame, wealth and influence created a power imbalance which made me feel powerless," she said.
Brand was cleared of two other alleged rapes and one count of attempted indecent assault. But he is facing further investigations after London police revealed rape allegations by two more women.
From Channel 4 to MTV and an eponymous primetime show on BBC Radio 2, the wild-haired comedian's obsession with sex and his no-holds barred delivery contributed to his notoriety.
Brand denied the charges, but he admitted to being "extremely promiscuous" and using his fame to "facilitate sexual access".
If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732, or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au . In an emergency, call 000.
