Russell Brand’s marriage to Laura Gallacher played a role in Judge Joel Bennathan deciding whether the actor poses a future risk to women, Us confirmed.
“Given how long ago these offenses were committed and the evidence of your wife, I accept there is no sound evidential basis for me to conclude you pose a risk for the future,” the judge reportedly said during Brand’s sentencing hearing on Monday, November 9, according to court docs obtained by Us.
Brand, 51, was sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison on Monday after he was found guilty of raping one woman and sexually assaulting three others between 2004 and 2009. He was acquitted of two other counts of rape and one count of attempted indecent assault.
Bennathan said that Brand’s nine-year marriage to Gallacher, 39, did not influence the length of Brand’s sentence. However, he chose to reduce the actor’s sentence by one year based on other factors, including a lack of previous convictions, the time that has passed since his crimes and his advocacy for those struggling with addiction.
Days before Brand was found guilty, Gallacher took the stand to testify in her husband’s defense. She described Brand as a “wonderful father” to their three kids and an “amazingly attentive husband,” according to The Guardian.
“The way he treats me is to really know me, I feel very seen by him, in a way I’ve never experienced before. I love him very much,” she said, per the outlet.
Brand and Gallacher tied the knot in 2017. The author was present in the courtroom on Monday when her husband was sentenced.
“I love you,” she reportedly told Brand as he was taken away. Brand responded, “We’ll be OK.”
Gallacher reportedly left the courtroom in tears.
In his sentencing remarks on Monday, Bennathan slammed Brand as a “sexual predator” who has displayed “staggering arrogance.”
Brand has maintained his innocence and insisted that the sexual encounters were consensual.
The Forgetting Sarah Marshall actor is now under investigation for two more rape allegations, The Metropolitan Police told Us on Monday.
“The suspect has previously been interviewed under caution in connection with the allegations,” a spokesperson said. “Files have been submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service in relation to both complainants.”
The statement continued, “Detectives remain in close contact with prosecutors as enquiries continue and further investigative work is carried out. Anyone who wishes to speak to detectives or make a report can contact the investigation team by email at CSOU@met.police.uk.”
