UK comedian Russell Brand gets 10-year jail term after conviction in sexual assault case

Former British comedian Russell Brand was sentenced to 10-and-a-half years in prison on Monday for raping one woman and sexually assaulting three others between 2004 and 2009. The 51-year-old, once a high-profile broadcaster and Hollywood star, stood in the dock at London's Southwark Crown Court as Judge Joel Bennathan delivered the harsh sentence.

Bennathan stated that Brand, who had denied all charges, was a sexual predator who believed "fame meant you could act how you liked, when you liked, unhindered by the rules by which decent people live."

One of the victims, who was anally raped by Brand in 2009, expressed the traumatic impact of the assault, saying it is something she carries with her every day. Brand's lawyer, Ian Winter, claimed that the comedian is a "fundamentally different person today and has been for a very long time" and cited his recovery from alcohol and drug addiction, as well as his newfound Christian faith.

The Metropolitan Police revealed that Brand is currently under investigation for two additional alleged rape cases, one involving a 16-year-old girl. Police officials stated that they would not be surprised if more allegations emerge in the future. Brand, who starred in films such as "Forgetting Sarah Marshall," "Get Him to the Greek" and "Arthur," had vehemently denied any non-consensual sexual activity. He was acquitted of two other rape charges and an attempted indecent assault.