Russell Brand has been branded a ‘dead man walking’ inside the notorious jail where he is now serving time for his vile sex crimes. A former inmate at HMP Wandsworth has cautioned that Brand is a ‘marked man’ as he embarks on his decade-long stretch behind bars.
The disgraced ex-comedian and actor is ‘in real trouble’, according to the former prisoner, having been convicted of multiple sexual offences, including rape and several counts of sexual assault.
The ex-HMP Wandsworth inmate, where Brand is currently being held, has warned that he ‘needed to survive’ the brutal institution by ‘keeping his head down’ until he is transferred to another prison.
The former prisoner was released from HMP Wandsworth last year, according to The Sun, but has stated that 51-year-old Brand is a ‘dead man walking’ for as long as he remains in the facility.
The former inmate said: “If Brand stays in Wandsworth, he’s in real trouble – a dead man walking.”
“He won’t be there permanently but needs to survive until he’s got his permanent move.
“Wandsworth is violent, corrupt, dirty and noisy. He will be so far out of his comfort zone. When I was there staff paid prisoners to attack other inmates and violence would break out over the smallest thing.
“Brand will be a marked man while he is there and – if he is to stay safe – needs to move quickly.”
Last week, Brand was found guilty of one rape and three sexual assaults, and was then jailed for 10 years and six months at Southwark Crown Court yesterday (Monday). Mr Justice Bennathan declared that Brand was a dangerous “sexual predator” who displayed “staggering arrogance” and “contempt” towards women.
The judge addressed Brand directly: “About 20 years ago, Russell Brand, you were becoming famous. You were clever – and in many people’s eyes, funny and charismatic.
“You had also become a sexual predator.”
He further stated that the comedian had told a “series of lies” about the women he had abused.
Brand displayed no emotion throughout his sentencing, yet later mouthed “I love you” and “we will be OK” to his wife Laura Gallacher as he was escorted to the cells.
Gallacher became visibly distressed as Brand was imprisoned, struggling to contain her tears as she departed Southwark Crown Court.
A prison van believed to be transporting the disgraced celebrity was confronted by members of the public as it left the court, according to The Sun.
Onlookers began striking the side of the vehicle, with one person shouting: “Not so funny now Russell.”
Following the jury’s guilty verdicts, Mr Justice Bennathan told him: “You’ve been convicted of a number of offences including rape.
“The consequence of that is inevitably a significant custodial term.”
Brand was found guilty of raping a 21 year old admirer at his Hampstead home after the pair met at his stand-up show in 2009. He additionally sexually assaulted a television worker in 2009 and ‘sloppily’ kissed a radio colleague without her consent.
Years prior to that, Brand also groped an MTV employee at a Soho party in 2004. His offences left a profound and lasting impact on those he victimised.
The victim who was assaulted at a radio station in 2005 said: “Russell Brand has managed to move on and even forget that he sexually assaulted me violently in a very public place and in front of people.”
A further victim revealed the attack left her with no choice but to take time away from work and return to live with her parents.
She added: “I hope the court can understand the large and overarching impact this has had on me, and continues to have on me to this day.”
