Russell Brand receives sentencing - latest updates

SPEAKER_1 (0:00)

The Hard Shoulder, with Ciara Kelly and Shane Colman. On Newstalk, with Ciara.

Shane Colman (0:08)

Now, let's turn to that story, the disgraced comedian Russell Brand being sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison after being convicted of rape and multiple counts of sexual assault. We're joined by entertainment journalist, Caroline Frost. Caroline, tell us what happened in court today.

Caroline Frost (0:24)

Yes, dramatic scenes in court, Southern Crown Court in London today as Russell Brand was sentenced to, yes, that quite long sentence all in all, totality of 10 years, six months because of four offenses for which he was convicted on Thursday. The judge was very systematic with his report of each of the offenses in turn. He listed the mitigating factors which were the historic nature of the offenses, and also the fact that Russell Brand was testimony by people as having good character and working for others through addictions in more recent years. However, this wasn't enough and it was weighed against the aggravating natures of the offenses themselves. Eventually, we were given the numbers and it was nine years for the rape conviction 2009 and nine months, 18 months and eight months respectively for the three other sexual assault convictions.

Not much reaction from Russell Brand, his wife in tears in the gallery and she has now left court supported by friends to her vehicle, and no sign of Russell Brand, but a prison van was left leaving the court, which means he may be well on his way to his first night as a convicted and sentenced man.

Shane Colman (1:33)

The judge, Judge Banton was scathing in his assessment of Russell Brand.

Caroline Frost (1:39)

Yes, he said what we've heard from the prosecution all throughout the trial, which was that he was a predator, that he used his position to exploit young vulnerable women, and he also had harsh words for those enabling him, and he said people who put up with your intolerable behavior and enabled it. So yes, I don't think we can be left in any doubt as to the judge's opinion of the events for which these convictions carry.

I guess what else is there to say is that there are still some outstanding investigations by the Met Police. They say they are now investigating two more allegations against Russell Brand. I guess we'll be hearing more about those in coming weeks and months. And we've had statements on the steps of the court from both the Met Police and also the Crown Prosecution Service.

Shane Colman (2:26)

Is there any possibility of Russell Brand appealing the verdict or indeed the sentence?

Caroline Frost (2:33)

I don't think there's been any talk of that. I mean, I've not heard that in any of the legal reports nor even in the mainstream press. I think that, judged by the devastation on everybody's faces, it doesn't seem as though there's going to be another day in court for these particular allegations and now convictions.

Not really, no. I think the door is closed. I guess perhaps they thought they would, an appeal would, what would it consist of? He's made his case and it's been found inadequate.

Shane Colman (3:04)

He did have a very brief time with his wife before being removed from the court. They exchanged or he exchanged some words with her.

Caroline Frost (3:12)

Yes. He was very calm in the face of these sentences being put down to him. His wife was in tears and he was heard saying to her, we'll be okay, it will all be okay. Don't know how, but it will be okay. Later on, he was seen mouthing that I love you, he said to her.

If anything is in his favor on this strange day, it is that his thoughts were for his wife and his loved ones and how they would be reacting to the events.

Shane Colman (3:39)

The comments of his father outside the court will, I imagine, enrage a lot of people. He was claiming that his son was the victim.

Caroline Frost (3:49)

Yes. Well, I mean, this is what Russell Brand's father's been saying since the beginning of the trial and beforehand, that it's a stitch up, that it's all unfair and that his son is the real victim of some sort of conspiracy against him. I mean, you could say that these are cynical fantasies by a man whose history we have heard was perhaps instrumental in forming Russell Brand's opinion of women around him. Or you could say that they are the words of a grieving, shocked, loyal father. I mean, I guess it's somewhere between the two or both. But yes, his father has not been quiet. I'm sure we'll hear from him again.