Russell Brand due back in court for rape and sexual assault sentencing

Russell Brand will return to court today to find out his sentence for rape and sexual assault.

The disgraced comedian and actor has been warned to expect a long prison term following last week's guilty verdicts.

The judge will consider victim impact statements and lawyers' arguments before delivering the sentence at London's Southwark Crown Court.

Rape carries a sentence of four to 19 years' imprisonment, while sexual assault can range from a community order to 10 years in jail.

Brand was convicted on Thursday of raping a fan at his house in 2009 and three sexual assaults between 2004 and 2009.

He was cleared of two other rapes and one count of attempted indecent assault.

Brand mouthed "I'm OK" to his lawyers and repeated the words: "I'm good, I'm good, I'm good" as he was led away.

The 51-year-old had denied all the charges, claiming all the sexual contact was consensual as he pursued an extremely promiscuous lifestyle during the height of his fame.

Brand's offending was exposed in a 2023 investigation by Channel 4 and The Times/Sunday Times.

It's possible Brand could one day find himself in another trial as Met Police are investigating two other rape allegations against him.

The head of the force, Sir Mark Rowley, said they're braced for "many, many more" possible victims to come forward.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy told Sky News she believes abuse by other powerful figures in the media is probably continuing.

She said the industry should be doing more to protect young workers from "huge power imbalances".

"We need far more robust processes in place to protect women, like the women who bravely came forward in the Russell Brand case, to make sure that they are protected and treated seriously," said Ms Nandy.

Several of Brand's victims were junior workers at media companies and there are claims people who worked with him turned a blind eye.

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Victims' Commissioner Claire Waxman also wants a new legal duty on judges to direct juries to ignore any rape myths and misconceptions that come up in court.

It follows Brand's lawyer, Ian Winter KC, suggesting the comedian couldn't be a rapist as his accusers had not screamed, fought back, or run away.

Mr Winter later referred himself to a legal watchdog over an altercation after the verdict with one of the journalists involved in the 2023 investigation.

(c) Sky News 2026: Russell Brand due back in court for rape and sexual assault sentencing