Ron Brand has responded to his son Russell Brand being sent to prison after being found guilty of committing one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault. The sentencing took place today at Southwark Crown Court in London, with the star receiving ten and a half years in prison.
What Did Russell’s Dad Say?
Ron Brand was standing outside of the court when he heard the news that his son would be locked away behind bars for over a decade. He confronted reporters about the decision, unable to accept his son’s conviction and accusing the justice system of being questionable.
In a video captured by Sky News, Ron can be seen answering a reporter who asked him if he had anything to say to Russell’s victims. But Ron immediately declared Russell as being the true victim, saying: “The victim? What? Russell?”
The reporter then clarified their question, prompting Ron to further add: “The girls, you mean, who chased him?” Ron continued to challenge the criminal justice system, noting: “I don’t care. I don’t care. It’s a system. We don’t believe the justice system. Well, I’m saying it’s possible [that the jury was corrupt]. Are you saying it’s not possible?”
No evidence of jury misconduct has been proven despite what Ron has said.
More About The Sentencing
Although Russell was sentenced to over a decade in prison, it is unlikely he will spend the entire time in jail. According to the terms of the sentencing announced by the judge, he’s only required to serve two thirds of the full sentencing duration.
Authorities have not yet revealed to the public where Russell will be going to serve his sentence, though before appearing at court he was being held behind bars at HMP Wandsworth in south west London. This is a possible location for his imprisonment, though it is thought that prison officials may need to consider whether due to the nature of Russell’s convictions as well as his public profile if he needs to be separated from the rest of the prison’s general population.
The offences Russell was found to be guilty of occurred between the years of 2004 and 2009, though there were other sexual offences against him which ended up being dropped. In addition to serving a minimum of approximately seven years of his ten and a half year sentence, he will be released on license for the remaining duration of the sentence and be placed on the sex offenders register for life.
A number of Russell’s victims have bravely spoken out after the conviction, sharing vulnerable statements. One of the victims, who was assaulted by Brand at his home in 2009, said that attack is “something I carry with me every day and it often feels never-ending.
“I doubt my ability to make good decisions and no longer trust my instinct in the way I did,” she added. “I felt that if I reported him, I would not be believed. His fame, wealth, and influence created a power imbalance which made me feel powerless.”
She added that she continues to “experience anxiety, difficulties with trust, reduced confidence, and the lasting effects of trauma” due to what happened as it’s “not something that I have simply been able to move on from.”
Russell Brand’s Father Ron Breaks Silence About His Son Being Sent To Prison