Russell Brand’s wife, Laura, told the disgraced comedian, “I love you, I’ll be OK,” in the courtroom after he was sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison, according to Sky News.
Laura, who supported her husband during his trial, was sitting with two female friends behind Brand, 51, when the judge gave his decision.
She was reportedly “shaking a little” and deeply breathing and muttering “it’s OK, it’s OK” as she was led out of the courtroom by her friends.
When Brand was taken away by guards, he reportedly nodded at Laura and said, “We’ll be OK”.
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Brand’s friends were seen crying outside the court after the sentencing, according to the BBC.
During the court session, the judge called Brand a “sexual predator” and noted he “committed sexual offenses against a number of women over a five-year period,” before summarizing all the allegations against Brand.
The judge also commended the women who testified against Brand.
Laura looked at the floor as the judge gave his remarks, occasionally glancing towards Brand in the dock, per the BBC.
Brand was sentenced four days after he was found guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault. He was acquitted of two other rape charges and a count of attempted indecent assault.
The disgraced comedian was warned by the judge he was facing a “significant” sentence.
Earlier during Monday’s court session, Brand was seen mouthing “I love you” and “Are you ok?” to his wife.
Ian Winter KC, who is leading Brand’s defense team, asked the judge for leniency for the disgraced comedian, insisting he’s “a fundamentally different person now.”
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The defense argued that Laura and the couple’s three children are “innocent” and should be taken into account in the sentencing.
Winter also claimed Laura was feeling “total devastation” over her husband’s conviction, and that “words are completely inadequate” to describe what she is going through.
Additionally, Winter said Brand and Laura had not yet found a way to explain the situation to their 10-year-old child.
Brand’s conviction followed a nearly two-year investigation that launched after several women came forward with allegations.
He pleaded not guilty and denied all allegations against him throughout the trial.
Brand is facing two additional rape accusations that Met Police are investigating.
The “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” actor spent the weekend locked up in a troubled London prison where he was reportedly cowering in fear” as hundreds of his fellow inmates taunted him with an abusive chant.
The Sun reported that Brand was “petrified” during his first night at Wandsworth after receiving a “humiliating” strip search, a “first-night pack” of toiletries and food.
He was, however, allowed a three-minute phone call with his wife.
Just days before Brand’s trial started in October, the couple expressed fear that the father of three would go to prison.
“I don’t like things where it’s like, you might have to go to prison,” he said on the pair’s “Sunday Service with the Brands” podcast in response to a message from a supporter
At the end of the episode, Brand and Laura prayed to God “for peace and love and for all the participants in this trial or any trial.”
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-330-0226.
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