Russell Brand to be sentenced for rape and assaults

Russell Brand is scheduled to be sentenced today for rape and sexual assault. The 51-year-old comedian was found guilty at Southwark Crown Court of raping a fan in 2009 and sexually assaulting three other women between 2004 and 2009. Mr Justice Bennathan ordered Brand to begin his prison sentence immediately after his guilty verdict last Thursday. The judge will hear impact statements from the victims and legal submissions from their attorneys before delivering the sentence.

The four-week trial revealed how Brand allegedly targeted vulnerable women who encountered him on his rise to fame as a comedian, TV and radio host, and actor. His victims recounted instances of the famous man kissing, groping, and raping them shortly after meeting him. Friends and colleagues testified to Brand's ambition to sleep with 5,000 women and how his behavior became normalized as he gained more fame.

Brand was convicted of raping a 21-year-old fan in 2009 after meeting her backstage at a stand-up show at the Hammersmith Apollo. He was also found guilty of sexually assaulting female TV and radio workers during the same time period.

Brand was cleared of two additional rape charges and one allegation of attempted indecent assault. During the trial, Brand's barrister argued that the comedian could not be a rapist because his victims did not scream, fight back, or flee when attacked. The Victims Commissioner called for a new legal duty on judges to address rape myths during trials, following Brand's barrister's arguments.

Brand, who still broadcasts his Christian sermons, has spent four nights in prison since the trial's conclusion. The judge has warned him to expect a lengthy prison sentence, and the Metropolitan Police are investigating two additional rape allegations against Brand.