The key facts
- Russell Brand has been sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison after a guilty verdict on rape and sexual assault charges
- Russell Brand sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison after a guilty verdict on rape and sexual assault charges
- The offences were committed against four women between 2004 and 2009
- Judge Joel Bennathan called Brand's behaviour 'staggering arrogance' and described him as a sexual predator
The sentence and the court's reaction
Russell Brand was sentenced on Monday to 10 years and six months in prison after a guilty verdict on charges of rape and sexual assault against four women between 2004 and 2009. A roundup of British newspapers is provided by BBC News, noting that the sentencing of the 51-year-old performer became the lead story on Tuesday's front pages. According to The Sun, Brand 'showed no remorse' when the sentence was handed down, and Judge Joel Bennathan in his remarks criticised his 'staggering arrogance'. The Guardian quotes the judge's words, addressed to Brand: women 'retain the right to say no and to seek justice in the criminal courts when sexual predators like you, Mr Brand, act without their consent'. The Daily Star quotes the judge's phrase 'You are a sexual predator', while the Daily Mirror notes that the judge paid tribute to the courage of the victims; the paper stresses that the offences were committed 'at the height of Brand's fame'.
What the papers say about new claims
Alongside the sentence, the newspapers report new allegations against Brand. The Times writes about accusations from his ex-girlfriend Jemima Goldsmith of 'violence, coercive control and abuse' — these allegations are also splashed across the Daily Telegraph's front page. The Daily Mail reports that Brand 'is facing new claims', and publishes photographs of his wife Laura Brand leaving London's Southwark Crown Court; according to The Sun, she 'crumpled in her seat' in the courtroom. Metro describes the reaction of the crowd outside the court: when the van carrying Brand drove away after the sentence was announced, one passer-by shouted 'Not so funny now, is it, Russell?', while others 'hurled abuse and banged on the side of the van'. The Daily Express characterises the sentence as the end of Brand's journey 'from stand-up comedian to Hollywood star and ally of the left, to convicted rapist and outcast'. The i Paper quotes one of the women who accused Brand, who spoke in court from behind a screen: 'I thought I was damaged goods'.
Russell Brand's sentencing dominates Tuesday's front pages. He was jailed for 10 years and six months on Monday, after being convicted on charges of rape and sexual assault involving four women between 2004 and 2009. The Times dedicates its front page to the story. It also reports allegations against him of 'violence, coercive control and abuse' made by Jemima Goldsmith, his ex-girlfriend.
Brand 'showed no remorse' as he was jailed on Monday, the Sun reports on its front page. The paper carries judge Joel Bennathan's criticism of Brand's 'staggering arrogance' in his sentencing remarks. It also features an image of the 51-year-old's wife, Laura Brand, whom it reports 'crumpled in her seat' in court.
The Daily Mail also carries an image of 'loyal wife' Laura Brand leaving London's Southwark Crown Court, where the paper says she had been 'standing by her man'. It also reports that the disgraced entertainer is 'facing more claims'.
Jemima Goldsmith's allegations against Brand lead the front page of the Daily Telegraph. It also features a number of other stories, including that Cabinet Secretary Antonia Romeo will use her first speech in the post to say the civil service 'must urgently improve productivity'. Elsewhere, the paper reports that a '6ft 8in judo Olympic medallist has announced a presidential run' in France, as Teddy Riner joins a crowded race to succeed Emmanuel Macron.
The Guardian focuses on the judge's remarks as he jailed Brand. Women 'retain the right to say no and demand justice in the criminal courts when sexual predators like you, Mr Brand, act without their consent', Bennathan said. Also on its front page, the paper reports that US President Donald Trump and Elon Musk have expressed their support for Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, after the tech firm launched an investigation following reports Huang had an affair with a suspected Chinese spy. China has rejected claims that Huang was targeted.
The Daily Mirror similarly splashes on the judge's remarks as he sentenced Brand after his conviction on charges of rape and sexual assault carried out 'at the height of his fame'. 'Judge hails victims' bravery as comic caged for rape and sex assaults,' its front page reads.
The Financial Times leads on Nvidia and what it calls the 'damaging blow' to its co-founder. Shares in the chipmaker - one of the world's most valuable companies - 'fell as much as 8% in early trading', the paper reports. Huang has admitted to having an affair and apologised.
But like most papers this morning, the Metro continues to focus on Brand. Its splash reads: 'Not so funny now, are you Russell?' The paper reports these are the words one man shouted towards a van transporting the 'fallen star' from court after his sentencing, while others in the crowd 'hurled abuse and banged on its side'.
Brand's sentence 'completed a journey from stand-up comic to Hollywood star and ally of the Left to convicted rapist and pariah,' the Daily Express reports. It also carries the news of Ground Force and Homes Under the Hammer star Tommy Walsh's death at the age of 69.
The i Paper's front page includes the remarks of one woman Brand had been accused of assaulting, who told the court from behind a screen: 'I was thinking I was damaged goods.' The paper also reports on the 'tens of billions' wiped off the value of Nvidia after it announced its investigation into boss Jensen Huang.
There has been 'justice for survivors', the Daily Star reports as it dedicates its front page to a sketch of Brand in court. It splashes on the judge's remarks to the entertainer: 'You are a sex predator.'
