Lawyer explains what will happen to Russell Brand once he's released
Warning: This article contains discussion of rape and sexual assault which some readers may find distressing.
Russell Brand will spend the next seven years in prison after he was sentenced to 10 years and six months after being convicted of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault.
While his sentence is over 10 years long, he'll be behind bars for seven years due to laws on automatic release for non-life sentences, and Marcus Johnstone, Senior Solicitor and Managing Director at PCD Solicitors, has explained what Brand can expect once he's released.
The lawyer told LADbible that Brand is expected to serve seven years behind bars, though noted that 'there may be a slight change to this' because of some of the UK government's early release provisions.
Advert
They don't apply to his rape conviction, as that offence is excluded from the provisions, but Johnstone noted that the time Brand is serving for his sexual assault convictions could be reduced to one-third, which would see him released in 6.5 years.
As for what Brand can expect when being released from prison, Johnstone explained: "Upon release from prison he will be on licence up to the 10.5 year point. This means he will be monitored in the community by probation officers.
"He will also be a registered sex offender for an indefinite period. If he breaches any licence conditions he could be recalled to prison. If he breaches his registration conditions he may commit a further offence and be returned to prison."
The lawyer added that there may be conditions he faces upon his release, potentially including 'restrictions of who he can see' such as 'not being allowed to meet anyone under 18' besides 'inadvertent everyday contact'.
There may also be restrictions on his use of computers, where he is allowed to travel and having to notify the police if he changes his address.
While serving the remainder of his sentence, he would be expected not to reoffend or breach the conditions of his early release.
Johnstone, who works for a national law firm specialising in sexual offences, said he found it interesting that Judge Mr Justice Bennathan didn't classify Brand as a dangerous offender.
It would have meant an extended sentence, more years on licence and only being released if the parole board agreed to do so after reaching two-thirds of his sentence in prison.
The judge had described Brand as a 'sexual predator' who believed his fame meant he could 'act however he liked'.
Spending over three years on licence, being monitored and abiding by terms not to reoffend or ending up back in prison will be Brand's world when he leaves prison.
Former prison governor Professor Ian Acheson warned that while Brand is behind bars, his fame might make him a target, explaining that wherever they are sent 'high profile sexual predators are at increased risk'.
Professor Acheson suggested that Brand's 'charisma and his notoriety might paint a target on him' for other inmates who may attack him because they are 'wanting a name'.
He described the risk to Brand as 'high' and a challenge for prison guards to deal with, meaning he'd need to be protected during his time in prison and could be kept in a vulnerable prisoners unit that would be 'relatively safer'.
Paul McGinn, partner in the abuse team at legal firm Bolt Burdon Kemp, has told LADbible that Brand's notorious fame could mean he's kept apart from others, suggesting he might be 'kept separate from the wider prison population to ensure his safety'.
If you have been affected by any of the issues in this article and wish to speak to someone in confidence, contact the Rape Crisis England and Wales helpline on 0808 500 222, available 24/7. If you are currently in danger or need urgent medical attention, you should call 999.
Topics: Russell Brand, UK News, Crime
Joe Harker
