British Comedian Sentenced to 10 Years for Rape

Ten years and six months. That is the prison term Judge Bennathan handed to Russell Brand on Monday at Southwark Crown Court in London.

The 51 year old comedian was found guilty last week of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault. The jury cleared him on three other charges. The four convictions cover incidents between 2004 and 2009.

Brand is serving his sentence for acts that occurred across four different locations. He was convicted of raping a woman at his home in 2009. The prosecution noted he removed a condom during the act. He was also found guilty of assaulting a woman at a bar in 2004, at a radio station in 2005, and at a TV studio. The studio incident involved a colleague.

Four of the women who brought the case read victim impact statements before the judge decided the length of the sentence. One woman described the rape as something she carries with her every day. She said she no longer trusts her instincts and doubted her ability to make good decisions. She explained that Brand's fame made her fear she would not be believed if she reported him sooner.

Another woman spoke from behind a curtain in the courtroom. She said she felt physically sick seeing Brand in the press as his fame rose. A third woman said the assault from 2005 had a lasting impact on her life. She said hearing his voice on television or seeing his image made her jump.

Brand sat in the suit he wore during his conviction hearing on Thursday. He held a set of white rosary beads while the women spoke. His wife Laura and his father were present in the courtroom. Brand has denied all charges and stated he never had non-consensual sex.

The defense argued that Brand is a fundamentally different person now than he was during the crimes. The prosecution argued for a long sentence due to aggravating circumstances. Judge Bennathan called Brand a sexual predator during his remarks. The judge paused to pay tribute to the determination and bravery of the women who came forward. He then ordered Brand taken down to the cells.

Brand is known for his shifting public image over the years. He moved from stand-up comedy and television hosting to political analysis and finally to a role as a conspiracy theorist and Christian convert. Critics have long pointed to a thread of misogyny in his work. They argued his mistreatment of women was an open secret for decades.

The trial lasted four weeks and drew massive media attention. Six women testified against Brand. None of the women were publicly named, and the trial was not televised.