Russell Brand’s father, Ron Brand, is speaking out about his son’s lengthy prison sentence.
Shortly after a judge ruled that Russell, 51, would serve 10 years and six months in prison for rape and sexual assault, a reporter asked Ron if he had a message for the victims.
“The victim? What, Russell?” he said in a video obtained by Sky News on Monday, November 9. “The girls, you mean, who chased him and harassed him — is that what you mean?”
When a reporter reminded Ron that his son was convicted by a jury, he responded, “I don’t care. It’s a system. We don’t believe the justice system.”
Ron seemingly suggested that the jury could be corrupt as he continued, claiming, “Well, I’m saying it’s possible. Are you saying it’s not possible?”
Multiple women accused Russell of sexual assault, rape and emotional abuse, with the allegations spanning from 1999 to 2013. Several of the accusations were explored in Channel 4’s 2023 documentary Russell Brand: In Plain Sight.
Russell previously entered a not guilty plea before he was tried on the seven sexual offense charges, all of which he denied. (The actor was found guilty on four out of the seven counts.)
His defense team also argued that the documentary “poisoned the well of justice deliberately” and “fundamentally corrupted” his accusers.
During the comedian’s sentencing hearing on Monday, Judge Joel Bennathanou didn’t hold back when discussing the case.
“You were clever — and in many people’s eyes, funny and charismatic,” he said during his sentencing remarks, per CNN. “You had also become a sexual predator. Whatever women wear, wherever they go, indeed whatever they drink, they retain the right to say no and to demand justice from the criminal courts when sexual predators like you, Russell Brand, act without their consent.”
When speaking with reporters, Ron said his son is “strong” and will be OK behind bars. When asked about Russell’s wife, Laura Gallacher, Ron added, “She’s strong as well.”
During Monday’s hearing, several victim statements were read out loud in court. One victim described seeing Russell becoming more famous as she struggled to cope with what had happened to her.
“For many years as his star was rising, it was impossible to escape seeing him all over the media, being celebrated for his disgusting behavior against women like it was all a joke,” the unnamed victim said. “There were many times I felt visibly sick at the sight of him parading around thinking he can get away with anything.”
If you have experienced sexual assault, call the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 for confidential support.
