This article discusses sexual offences. UK support: Rape Crisis England & Wales, 0808 500 2222. US: RAINN, 800-656-4673.
Quick answer: Russell Brand, whose real name is Russell Edward Brand, was sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison on Monday, November 9, 2026, at Southwark Crown Court in London. A jury convicted him on November 5 of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault against four women between 2004 and 2009 (AP; BBC). He is 51. See our November 5 verdict report and his Russell Brand bio.
How the sentence breaks down
According to the BBC's court reporting, Mr Justice Joel Bennathan imposed:
- Nine years for the 2009 rape.
- Nine months for sexually assaulting a woman at a bar in London in 2004.
- 18 months for sexually assaulting a woman at a London radio station in 2004 or 2005.
- Eight months for a sexual assault while working on a Channel 4 project in 2009.
The three sexual-assault sentences run concurrently with each other but consecutively to the rape sentence, for a total of 10 years and six months (BBC; The Guardian). The BBC reports he is likely to serve two-thirds of the term in custody before release on licence.
The judge said he reduced the sentence by one year for mitigation, including Brand's lack of previous convictions, the 17 years since the last offence, and his later work helping people with addiction (BBC; Manchester Evening News). Brand denied all the charges at trial. He was acquitted of two further rape counts and one count of attempted indecent assault (The Guardian).
What the judge said
As reported by the Manchester Evening News and The Independent, Mr Justice Bennathan opened: "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." (Manchester Evening News; The Independent)
He said Brand's status had protected him until 2023, when the Channel 4 Dispatches and Sunday Times investigation was published, and that those reports "empowered a number of women to come forward and tell their stories" (Manchester Evening News; BBC). He said Brand showed "a casual and arrogant disregard for a woman's right to say no to you" (Manchester Evening News; AP).
He also told the court: "Whatever women wear, wherever they go, whatever they drink, they retain the right to say no and demand justice in the criminal courts when sexual predators like you, Mr Brand, act without their consent" (Manchester Evening News). Before passing sentence, he paused "to pay tribute to the determination and bravery" of the women who gave evidence (The Guardian). All four women have lifelong anonymity under UK law.
Russell Brand's movies
Searches for "Russell Brand movies" spiked after the sentence. His best-known screen roles include St Trinian's (2007), Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008), Bedtime Stories (2008), Get Him to the Greek (2010), the voice of Dr. Nefario in Despicable Me (2010), Arthur (2011) and Rock of Ages (2012) (IMDb; Wikipedia filmography). We found no announcement from any studio or streamer about changes to those titles as of publication, and we'll update this post if that changes.
Is "Russell Brand" a stage name?
No. He was born Russell Edward Brand on June 4, 1975, in Grays, Essex, and has always used his birth name (IMDb; Wikipedia). Posts giving him a different birth name are wrong.
More on RealNameOf:
- Russell Brand bio
- Russell Brand's real name and the November 5 verdict
- Katy Perry's real name (Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson). She was married to Brand from 2010 to 2012 and has no role in the case.
- Real names of comedians
- Real names of actors
- More celebrity news and real names
FAQ
How long was Russell Brand sentenced to?
10 years and six months, on November 9, 2026, at Southwark Crown Court in London.
What was Russell Brand convicted of?
One count of rape and three counts of sexual assault, involving four women, between 2004 and 2009. He was acquitted of two further rape counts and one count of attempted indecent assault.
Who sentenced Russell Brand?
Mr Justice Joel Bennathan at Southwark Crown Court, London.
How long will Russell Brand serve in prison?
The BBC reports he is likely to serve two-thirds of the sentence in custody before release on licence.
What is Russell Brand's real name?
Russell Edward Brand. He has always used his birth name.
What movies was Russell Brand in?
His best-known films include St Trinian's, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Bedtime Stories, Get Him to the Greek, Despicable Me (voice of Dr. Nefario), Arthur and Rock of Ages.