Convicted rapist Russell Brand and wife Laura shared fears about him going to prison before guilty verdict
Russell Brand and his wife, Laura, shared their fears about the disgraced comedian going to prison weeks before his guilty rape verdict.
During the Oct. 11 episode of the couple’s “Sunday Service with the Brands” podcast, Laura read a message from a supporter who said they spent five years in prison and were “praying” for Brand, whose trial started three days later.
“You will get through it. The presence of God is everywhere — in prison as well,” the supporter added.
Brand, 51, then interrupted his wife by tapping her on the shoulder and saying, “I don’t like things where it’s like you might have to go to prison.”
“No, I know,” Laura, 39, replied, telling Brand “that’s the nature of what a trial is.”
Brand agreed and acknowledged that his trial could end in a possible prison sentence.
“That’s one of the challenges,” he said.
At the end of the episode, Laura and Brand prayed to God “for peace and love and for all the participants in this trial or any trial.”
Brand was found guilty Thursday of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault following a four-week trial at Southwark Crown Court.
The judge, Justice Joel Bennathan, told Brand he will be given a “significant” prison sentence.
The “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” actor was acquitted of two additional rape charges and one charge of attempted indecent assault.
Laura, who was in the courtroom on Thursday, held hands with a female companion and reportedly became emotional when Brand’s verdict came in.
She was seen leaving the court without her husband, who was denied bail and placed in a holding cell.
After the verdict, The Met Police told Sky News they are also investigating Brand for additional rape allegations made by two women.
Brand was on trial facing seven charges — three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of indecent assault — stemming from alleged incidents involving six women between 1999 and 2009. The allegations initially came to light in a bombshell exposé published by the Sunday Times back in 2023.
The podcaster, who was married to singer Katy Perry from 2010 to 2011, pleaded not guilty to all charges and denied all allegations.
Laura supported Brand during his trial, and when she testified on Oct. 29, called him a “caring, kind and a wonderful father to our children”.
“We have a very honest, frank, and clear relationship and marriage,” Laura also said, per the BBC.
“It is one of the most important parts of our marriage, and our relationship has always been honest,” she added.
Brand and Laura have been married since 2017, and share three children.
The disgraced actor will be sentenced on Monday after his conviction.
Kally Sahota, a UK legal expert, exclusively told Page Six that Brand could receive nearly ten years behind bars.
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.