Updated

Updated · bbc.co.uk · Nov 9

Russell Brand Cites Georgina Baillie Support at Sentencing as Prosecutors Seek 10-15 Years

Updated

Updated · bbc.co.uk · Nov 9

Russell Brand Cites Georgina Baillie Support at Sentencing as Prosecutors Seek 10-15 Years

Q: With two new allegations emerging, could Russell Brand face even more time behind bars despite his recent sentencing?

Yes. If prosecutors authorize charges on the two new rape allegations and Brand is later convicted, a court could impose additional prison time beyond the sentence he has just received. The key point is that the new allegations are not automatically folded into the existing case. London’s Metropolitan Police said it has passed the two further rape allegations to prosecutors, which means the Crown Prosecution Service must decide whether there is enough evidence and whether charging is in the public interest. Only if new charges are brought, tried and proved could any extra sentence follow. Under English law, rape carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, though actual terms depend on sentencing guidelines, culpability, harm, aggravating factors and whether sentences run concurrently or consecutively. In practice, a judge in any later case would decide whether a new term should overlap with Brand’s current sentence or be added on top of it. His current convictions also do not prevent further prosecution over separate alleged offenses. In fact, police have indicated the investigation remains active and suggested more complainants could still come forward. So the short answer is that Brand could face more time, but only after a separate legal process: prosecutors would need to approve charges, a court case would need to proceed, and any new convictions would then have to be sentenced.

3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Nov 9

Georgina Baillie submitted a character statement backing Russell Brand, with defense lawyer Ian Winter KC telling the court Brand persuaded her to get sober and paid for rehab.
Baillie had been "an alcoholic" and has now been sober for six years, Winter said, using her account to argue for leniency as Brand faced sentencing.
The statement came from the woman at the center of the 2008 "Sachsgate" scandal, when Brand and Jonathan Ross left lewd messages about her on Andrew Sachs's answering machine during a live Radio 2 broadcast.
Brand, 51, was awaiting sentence after convictions on one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault; prosecutors had asked for 10 to 15 years in prison.