Russell Brand spent his first night behind bars after a London jury found him guilty of rape and sexual assault — and prison sources say the comedian was “petrified.”
According to Page Six, citing The Sun, Brand, 51, was processed through reception with a strip search described as humiliating, then issued gray jogging bottoms, T-shirts, sweatshirts and underwear. He received a standard first-night pack: toothbrush and toothpaste, cereal, tea, milk, sugar, juice sticks and digestive biscuits, plus one toilet roll, a Bible and a vape pack. His first meal was an “inedible” microwave option.
Staff ran a mental-health check before bedtime to assess his state of mind and confirm he was not a danger to himself. Brand was allowed one three-minute phone call that had to be approved by the prison, and he was kept apart from other inmates while being monitored around the clock. An insider told The Sun he will be “relatively safe” for now and is expected to move to another facility after sentencing.
Brand was convicted Thursday at Southwark Crown Court of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault after a four-week trial. Justice Joel Bennathan said he faces a “significant” prison sentence and denied bail; Brand left court in a police van. He was acquitted of two further rape charges and one charge of attempted indecent assault. Sentencing is set for Monday. The Metropolitan Police has said Brand remains under investigation over two additional rape accusations.
Brand has denied the allegations throughout, pleading not guilty and maintaining the encounters were consensual. Wife Laura supported him during the trial.
If you or someone you know needs support after sexual assault, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 (RAINN) or, in the UK, Rape Crisis at 0808 500 2222.
