British actor Russell Brand was sentenced to more than 10 years in prison on Monday after a London jury convicted him last week of raping a woman and sexually assaulting three others.

After a trial that reignited scrutiny over how Hollywood handles sexual assault accusations against its biggest stars, Brand, 51, was found guilty on one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault committed between 2004 and 2009. He was acquitted of two other rape charges and an attempted indecent assault.

A judge sentenced Brand to 10 years and 6 months in prison.

The once sought-after comedian was accused by six women of assault that took place between 1999 and 2009. He pleaded not guilty to three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of indecent assault. In denying the allegations, Brand said he had never engaged in any non-consensual sexual encounters.

Over the course of a four-week trial that included graphic descriptions of assault and tearful testimony from Brand’s accusers, British prosecutors described Brand as a “sexual predator” who was “ruthless” in his pursuit of women. They said he had an “indiscriminate and voracious” desire for sex and that women, to him, “were simply a means to an end.”

Each of the women spoke on the witness stand detailing interactions with Brand as he watched inside the courtroom. The women’s identities remained confidential in accordance with U.K. law, which bars victims of sexual misconduct from being publicly identified.

“The evidence showed Brand to be a calculated sexual predator using his growing fame and power to create situations in which he could pursue women sexually, regardless of what they wanted,” Senior Crown prosecutor David Roberts said after Brand was found guilty on Nov. 5.

None of Brand’s accusers knew each other, according to Roberts. He praised the women for coming forward with their experiences, saying that “thanks to their courage,” Brand “will finally face the consequences of his actions.”

Prosectors said the women who testified at the trial came forward in the wake of a 2023 joint investigation by the Times of London, The Sunday Times and Channel 4, which revealed allegations of sexual assault and abuse by four women. One of the women who spoke to the British news outlets was 16 at the time of the alleged incident, she said.

The London criminal trial did not include any of the women involved in the 2023 media investigation, but some of the accusers said in their jury testimony that they had come forward after seeing that reporting.

Brand could face further legal action. He is under investigation for two other alleged ​rapes, one involving the then-16-year-old girl, London police said after the Nov. 5 verdict.

At his evidence hearing in October, Brand told the court that he had been “persuasive, seductive, begging and flirting, and have dedicated a ​lot of my life to what seems now beyond reckless philandering and idiocy.”

He added that he was once comfortable allowing his success and fame “to facilitate sexual access,” which he now says was “wrong.” Obtaining consent, Brand said, was always “fundamental” in his pursuits.

Ian Winter, Brand’s defense barrister, argued in court that treating women poorly “before, during or after sex” is not itself a criminal act nor is it evidence that one occurred.

“It is not, I am afraid, criminal to be disrespectful or rude or to act like a crazy idiot,” Winter told the jury.

Winter had unsuccessfully tried to have the case dismissed, arguing that the 2023 British media investigation had unfairly portrayed Brand as a rapist, thus making it impossible for his client to receive a fair trial.

Brand’s wife, Laura Brand, was the only character witness who agreed to testify on his behalf.

In an interview in April, Russell Brand admitted to having sex with a 16-year-old when he was, in his words, “an immature 30-year-old” after he had initially denied the accusation.

Brand’s early 2000’s rise to Hollywood stardom began with salacious-style stand-up comedy routines and early roles as a British television presenter. He went on to star in a number of blockbusters including “Get Him to the Greek,” “Rock of Ages” and “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” and has credited his brief marriage in 2010 to popstar Katy Perry with catapulting his American film career.

The actor, who has been open about his addiction to sex and illicit substances, pivoted in recent years to become an online influencer who has promoted Christianity, dubious wellness trends and baseless conspiracy theories.

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