Russell Brand Denied Chance to See His Kids as He Faces ‘Significant’ Prison Time
Russell Brand is behind bars following his conviction in his high-profile trial. A U.K. judge who ordered him into custody on Thursday deemed him a serious flight risk who couldn’t be trusted not to flee the country ahead of sentencing next week.
The comedian faces “significant” time behind bars, after being found guilty of assaulting multiple women over a span of a decade, Judge Joel Bennathan said on November 5, Sky News reported.
Brand, 51, was free during the trial in London, which began on October 12. After the guilty verdict, his lawyer requested bail so that the Forgetting Sarah Marshall actor could “say goodbye to his three young children, the eldest of whom was 10 yesterday,” adding that it would be a “humanitarian act to permit him to say goodbye to his wife and children.” (Brand shares three kids with his wife, Laura Gallacher.)
Bennethan denied that bail request, arguing that Brand is a flight risk. In addition to a home in England, he has been renting a mansion in Florida. He moved there with his wife and kids in 2024, amid growing scrutiny of his past behavior with women and many allegations of violent assault.
As a result of Bennethan’s decision, Brand was taken into custody after Thursday’s verdict. He will return to court on Monday, November 9, for sentencing.
Brand could spend the rest of his life in prison, though he probably won’t receive the toughest sentence.
“While it’s unlikely he’s going to be anything towards the top end of that, we’re looking at a significant sentence and really serious offending,” legal expert Sian Harrison told Sky News.
Chair of the Bar Council of England and Wales, Kirsty Brimelow, said that Russell Brand could be ordered to spend the next six to nine years in prison.
Brand has denied all the allegations against him. He admits he was promiscuous in his younger days but has argued that any intimate relationships were consensual. But the women who testified in his trial say that wasn’t the case, describing disturbing encounters with the Get Him to the Greek actor, whom the prosecution called a serial “predator.” As Brand became more famous and successful, his actions became bolder.
“Brand used his influence, status and fame to exploit and sexually offend against women,” Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy of London’s Metropolitan Police said, according to the Associated Press. “As his profile grew, so too did his sense of entitlement.”
After the judge denied him bail, Brand mouthed the words, “I’m OK,” to his lawyers, according to reports. He also flashed an OK sign and a thumbs-up.
“I’m good, I’m good, I’m good,” he said, as he was led out of the courtroom.
