UK's Russell Brand a 'sexual predator', victims tell his sentencing for rape and sexual assault

The victims of comedian Russell Brand, once one of Britain's most high-profile broadcasters and a Hollywood film star, said at his sentencing hearing on Monday that he was a "sexual predator" who had caused them lasting harm.

Brand, the former husband of US pop singer Katy Perry, was convicted on Thursday of raping one woman and sexually assaulting three others. In recent years, he moved away from mainstream entertainment and became an anti-establishment commentator.

The 51-year-old appeared at Southwark Crown Court in a grey suit and open-necked white shirt as one of his victims read out a personal impact statement.

The woman, who accused Brand of sexually assaulting her in 2004 and then orally raping her, said the incident had left her in shock and turmoil for weeks. Brand was convicted of sexual assault but acquitted of rape in her case.

"I wanted to express how this crime has affected me over the years," she said from behind a screen. "When it happened, I was in complete shock and turmoil for weeks."

She added that an "undeserved feeling of shame and 'what if I had done this or done that'" had stayed with her for more than 20 years.

Another woman, whom Brand sexually assaulted in 2004 or 2005, described him as a "sexual predator who has no remorse".

The victims also spoke about the impact of Brand's public profile. A woman whom he anally raped in 2009 said his fame had made it "difficult to escape reminders of what had happened".

Brand facing lengthy prison sentence

Judge Joel Bennathan told Brand last week that he faced a lengthy prison sentence.

London's Metropolitan Police has said Brand is under investigation over two other alleged rapes, including one involving a girl who was 16 at the time. The head of the force said he "wouldn't be surprised if many more came forward".

Brand, who starred in films including Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Get Him to the Greek and Arthur, denied all the charges and any involvement in non-consensual sex.

Prosecutors said Brand, who rose to fame as a television presenter known for his flamboyant appearance and loquacious manner, had used and abused women to satisfy his own desires.

During the trial, Brand acknowledged that he had spent much of his life engaging in what he described as "reckless philandering and idiocy", but maintained that sexual consent was fundamental.

After a four-week trial, he was found guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault committed between 2004 and 2009. He was acquitted of two other rape charges and one count of attempted indecent assault.