Russell Brand's conviction and sentencing dominated British newspaper front pages on Tuesday, following his jailing for 10 years and six months on Monday. The 51-year-old entertainer was convicted of raping one woman and sexually assaulting three others in incidents spanning 2004 to 2009. According to BBC News, his sentencing at Southwark Crown Court prompted extensive coverage across the UK press, with multiple outlets focusing on judge Joel Bennathan's remarks during the sentencing hearing.
Brand was also acquitted of two additional rape charges and one count of attempted indecent assault, according to ABC News. Beyond the criminal convictions, his ex-girlfriend Jemima Goldsmith has made allegations of violence, coercive control and abuse against him, allegations that featured prominently in several newspapers' coverage.
How did newspapers frame the sentencing?
The Times dedicated its front page to Brand's conviction and sentencing, while the Sun reported that Brand "showed no remorse" as he received his sentence. Judge Bennathan's criticism of Brand's "staggering arrogance" featured across multiple publications as a central element of their coverage.
The Daily Mail focused on Brand's wife, Laura Brand, reporting that she had been "standing by her man" throughout the trial and leaving Southwark Crown Court following the sentencing. The paper also noted that the disgraced entertainer faced additional claims beyond those that resulted in his conviction.
The Daily Telegraph led its front page with Jemima Goldsmith's allegations against Brand, positioning her accusations of violence and coercive control as a major story. The Guardian highlighted judge Bennathan's statement to Brand, quoting him as saying:
Women retain the right to say no and demand justice in the criminal courts when sexual predators like you, Mr Brand, act without their consent.
The Daily Mirror splashed on the judge's remarks as he sentenced Brand following his conviction on rape and sexual assault charges carried out "at the height of his fame". Its front page headline read:
Judge hails victims' bravery as comic caged for rape and sex assaults.
What did Jemima Goldsmith reveal about her allegations?
Goldsmith stated that she had privately assisted journalists investigating Brand and would have testified about his alleged abusive behaviour if they had been sued over their reporting, according to the Independent. She also sought to clarify the history of a harassment injunction involving masseuse Szilvia Berki, saying it was intended to protect her and her family from harassment. The Berki dispute followed a planned massage at Goldsmith's home in June 2014; police investigated Berki's allegation that Brand pushed her but concluded there was no case to answer.
Goldsmith explained that she did not press charges over the alleged 2014 incident because she feared press attention would affect her then-teenage children, BBC News reported.
How did other major stories compete for front-page space?
While Brand's sentencing dominated most newspapers, the Financial Times led instead on Nvidia and what it described as a "damaging blow" to its co-founder Jensen Huang. Shares in the chipmaker, one of the world's most valuable companies, fell as much as 8% in early trading following the announcement of an investigation into Huang. Huang has admitted to having an affair and apologised.
The Metro continued to focus on Brand, with its splash reading: "Not so funny now, are you Russell?" The paper reported that these were the words one man shouted towards a van transporting the "fallen star" from court after his sentencing, while others in the crowd "hurled abuse and banged on its side".
The Daily Express reported that Brand's sentence "completed a journey from stand-up comic to Hollywood star and ally of the Left to convicted rapist and pariah." The paper also carried news of Ground Force and Homes Under the Hammer star Tommy Walsh's death at the age of 69.
The i Paper's front page included remarks from one woman Brand had been accused of assaulting, who told the court from behind a screen:
I was thinking I was damaged goods.The paper also reported on the "tens of billions" wiped off the value of Nvidia after it announced its investigation into boss Jensen Huang.
The Daily Star dedicated its front page to a sketch of Brand in court, reporting that there has been "justice for survivors". It splashed on the judge's remarks to the entertainer:
You are a sex predator.
What happens next in the Nvidia investigation?
Nvidia said an independent-director committee, assisted by outside counsel, would investigate the matter; the board said it had no reason to believe national security or company secrets were compromised and that Huang would remain CEO during the inquiry, according to Al Jazeera. US House Republican lawmakers called for Huang to testify before Congress on November 18.
