World Politics4 min(s) read
'Several more' people have come forward with new claims against Russell Brand
The investigators responsible for looking into Russell Brand’s sex offences have revealed that several more people have contacted detectives with information following his recent conviction for rape and sexual assault.
The now-disgraced comedian and actor was jailed for 10 years and six months after being found guilty of raping one woman and sexually assaulting three others in offences committed between 2004 and 2009.
Following last week's verdict, it emerged that detectives were already investigating two additional rape allegations against Brand, with Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley suggesting that further victims could come forward.
Police confirm they are investigating further allegations against Brand
Now, the Metropolitan Police has confirmed that it has received information from several more individuals, with a spokesperson for the force revealing: "Several people have contacted the investigation team during and since the trial to provide information or report a potential criminal allegation.
"Detectives are assessing this information as part of their ongoing enquiries."
The latest developments could mean Brand faces further legal action, with detectives continuing to examine the new information and prosecutors expected to decide within weeks whether he should face charges over two further alleged rapes, with one of those allegations reportedly involving an attack on a 16-year-old.
Brand's former girlfriend Jemima Goldsmith, 52, also spoke publicly about her experiences last night, accusing him of "violence, coercive control and abuse".
She claimed she was left so frightened following a "violent incident" in 2014 that she contacted police and asked them to remove him from her £15 million Cotswolds home.
Brand showed little visible emotion during his sentencing, as Mr Justice Bennathan criticised the way he had allegedly used his celebrity status to target women.
The judge told him: "About 20 years ago, Russell Brand, you were becoming famous, you were clever, and in many people's eyes you were funny and charismatic. You had also become a sexual predator."
He also condemned what he described as Brand's "staggering arrogance", saying the comedian had appeared to believe his fame meant he could behave however he wanted, without being held to the standards expected of others.
The judge further criticised Brand's entourage for allowing his "dreadful behaviour" to continue, including instances where staff allegedly witnessed assaults but laughed or failed to intervene.
Paying tribute to the women who came forward, Mr Justice Bennathan praised their "determination and bravery".
He added: "All those women had to face being confronted and being told they had lied, or twisted the truth and, or, they had agreed to your sexual demands: that was all done because of you, on your instructions."
The judge also took the opportunity to challenge common misconceptions surrounding sexual assault, after Brand's barrister faced criticism for suggesting the women should not be believed because they had not screamed, kicked or slapped him.
Mr Justice Bennathan said: "Whatever women wear, wherever they go, indeed whatever they drink, they retain the right to say no and to demand justice from the criminal courts when sexual predators like you, Russell Brand, act without their consent."
Brand was convicted of one rape and three sexual assaults, but cleared of two further rape charges and an attempted indecent assault, and is expected to serve two-thirds of his 10-and-a-half-year prison sentence before being released on licence.
Brand considers appeal
His legal team is reportedly considering an appeal, although legal sources have suggested that the jury's mixed verdicts could make challenging the outcome difficult.
One source told the Daily Mail: "In a way it would have been easier for Winter if there had been a clean sweep of guilty verdicts, at least then he could have argued that Brand did not get a fair trial because of the Channel 4 Dispatches and Sunday Times investigation."
They added: "The mixed verdicts show the jury reached their verdicts on the facts, regardless of the media attention, which makes an appeal very tricky."
Brand's barrister, Mr Winter, reportedly received around £1 million for representing him. He was also understood to have been brought in after several senior female barristers declined to take on the case.
However, Mr Winter is now facing a Bar Standards Board investigation following an angry exchange with the journalist whose reporting helped expose the allegations against Brand. After the verdict, he reportedly accused her of having "f*****" justice.
Following the sentencing, Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy also issued a direct appeal to anyone who may have experienced sexual violence to contact police.
He revealed: "I want to make a direct appeal to anyone who has been a victim of rape or any other sexual offence.
"We know it can take enormous courage to speak about what has happened to you, no matter how long ago it occurred or who was responsible.
"If you come forward, you will be listened to, supported and treated with care and compassion."