Russell Brand branded 'dead man walking' at HMP Wandsworth after rape conviction
A former HMP Wandsworth inmate has warned Russell Brand is a 'marked man' at the violent jail where he is serving 10 years and six months for rape and sexual assault.
Former inmate warns Brand faces serious danger at HMP Wandsworth
Russell Brand is a "dead man walking" inside HMP Wandsworth, according to a former prisoner at the south London jail where the convicted sex offender is now being held. The Daily Express reports that the ex-inmate, released from Wandsworth last year, issued the stark warning as Brand begins a sentence of 10 years and six months for rape and multiple sexual assaults.
"If Brand stays in Wandsworth, he's in real trouble – a dead man walking," the former prisoner said. "He won't be there permanently but needs to survive until he's got his permanent move."
The ex-inmate described the facility in blunt terms. "Wandsworth is violent, corrupt, dirty and noisy. He will be so far out of his comfort zone. When I was there, staff paid prisoners to attack other inmates and violence would break out over the smallest thing. Brand will be a marked man while he is there and – if he is to stay safe – needs to move quickly."
Sentenced as a 'sexual predator' at Southwark Crown Court
Brand, 51, was found guilty last week of one rape and three sexual assaults and sentenced on Monday at Southwark Crown Court. Mr Justice Bennathan described him as a dangerous "sexual predator" who had shown "staggering arrogance" and "contempt" towards women.
The judge addressed Brand directly during sentencing. "About 20 years ago, Russell Brand, you were becoming famous. You were clever – and in many people's eyes, funny and charismatic. You had also become a sexual predator." Bennathan further stated that Brand had told a "series of lies" about the women he abused.
Brand showed no emotion throughout the proceedings. As he was escorted to the cells, he mouthed "I love you" and "we will be OK" to his wife, Laura Gallacher, who was visibly distressed and struggled to contain her tears as she left the court. A prison van believed to be carrying Brand was struck by members of the public outside the building as it departed, with one onlooker shouting: "Not so funny now Russell."
Offences spanning more than a decade
The jury found Brand guilty of raping a 21-year-old admirer at his Hampstead home after the pair met at one of his stand-up shows in 2009. He also sexually assaulted a television worker that same year and subjected a radio colleague to an unwanted kiss without her consent. Earlier, in 2004, he groped an MTV employee at a party in Soho.
The impact on those he victimised has been lasting. One victim, assaulted at a radio station in 2005, said: "Russell Brand has managed to move on and even forget that he sexually assaulted me violently in a very public place and in front of people."
A second victim described being left with no choice but to take time off work and return to live with her parents. "I hope the court can understand the large and overarching impact this has had on me, and continues to have on me to this day," she said.
Passing sentence, Mr Justice Bennathan told Brand: "You've been convicted of a number of offences including rape. The consequence of that is inevitably a significant custodial term."
Brand is expected to be transferred from Wandsworth to a longer-term facility in due course, though the former inmate warned that his safety remains at risk for as long as he stays at the jail.
Source: Daily Express