Russell Brand sentencing live: Actor faces years in prison after being found guilty of rape and sexual assault

Woman 2: Brand sexually assaulted fan at Soho barA second woman told the court how her breasts were groped by Russell Brand in the Nordic bar in Soho.This was said to have happened just seconds after she had been introduced to him at a 2004 party.She recalled Brand's 'weird' grin as he carried out the sexual assault, brazenly grabbing her in the middle of a packed bar.Woman 1: Brand's rape conviction for attacking fanRussell Brand was convicted by the jury of raping a 21-year-old fan in 2009, after meeting her following one of his stand-up shows at the Hammersmith Apollo.The woman told jurors she was a huge Brand fan and had willingly engaged in a threesome with him backstage despite having a boyfriend at the time.She agreed to go to Brand's Hampstead home for sex a few days later, but a consensual encounter turned into rape when the comedian suddenly forced the woman into anal sex.How court heard about Russell Brand's 'insane' sexual appetiteA four-week trial heard how Russell Brand preyed on women that he encountered on his way to becoming one of Britain's best-known comedians, a lauded TV and radio host, and a Hollywood actor who was briefly married to singer Katy Perry.He claimed to have only ever had consensual sex during a 'promiscuous' life, which he insisted had been packed with 'idiocy' but never illegal.But his victims told a different story, of a famous and powerful man who kissed and groped women within seconds of meeting them, pursued his sexual ambitions relentlessly, and laughed at and gaslit women after the attacks.Friends and former colleagues of Brand also came forward to give evidence of his ambition to sleep with 5,000 women, an 'insane' sexual appetite, and his bad behaviour towards women being 'normalised' as he became increasingly famous.BBC 'ignored claims Russell Brand exposed himself to woman'Ahead of today’s sentencing, the BBC has been accused of ignoring claims that Russell Brand exposed himself to a woman in the corporation's Los Angeles office - despite the comedian laughing about it on air.Brand is alleged to have followed the victim, known by the pseudonym 'Olivia', into the toilets and flashed his penis at her in June 2008. He later joked about the incident while recording The Russell Brand Show for Radio 2.Read the full story here:What will happen at Southwark Crown Court today?Russell Brand will return to court this morning to be sentenced for raping one of his fans and sexually assaulting three other women during his showbiz career.The former comedian and actor, now 51, was found guilty at Southwark Crown Court of raping a woman in 2009, as well as sexually assaulting female TV and radio workers between 2004 and 2009.Mr Justice Bennathan ordered Brand to start his prison sentence immediately after being found guilty last Thursday afternoon, sending him straight to prison.The judge will pass sentence today, telling the shamed star how long he must now serve in custody.He is expected to hear impact statements from Brand's victims and legal submissions from the lawyers before passing sentence.Why Laura Gallacher's family are deeply concerned about herWhile we await Russell Brand's sentencing today, you can read this feature about his wife Laura Gallacher, written by KATIE HIND.Sources close to Ms Gallacher family have told The Mail on Sunday of their deep concern for her. Read the full article by clicking below:How six women gave evidence against Brand during trialRussell Brand, now 51, preyed on women he encountered while becoming one of Britain's best-known stand-up comedians, a lauded TV and radio host, and a Hollywood movie star.His victims came to court to reveal how Brand had forced them into sexual activity, sometimes within seconds of them first meeting, using his fame to determinedly pursue a goal of sex with 5,000 women.Southwark Crown Court heard how Brand, who once boasted he would not relent in his pursuit of sex before getting his 'birthright orgasm', ignored pleas from women for him to stop.Six women gave evidence against Brand, but he could not persuade any of his celebrity friends or former showbiz colleagues to give evidence in his defence.What were the jury's verdicts in Russell Brand's trial?Last Thursday, a jury at Southwark Crown Court found Russell Brand guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault.He was cleared of two further charges of rape and one allegation of attempted indecent assault.Brand displayed no emotion as he was found guilty, other than to close his eyes when the guilty verdict on the rape charge was announced.He was remanded into custody, having been told he will receive a lengthy sentence.Russell Brand sentencing - Daily Mail liveblogGood morning and welcome to the Daily Mail's live coverage as we await the sentencing of Russell Brand.The actor and comedian is facing years in prison after being found guilty of raping one of his fans and sexually assaulting three women during his showbiz heyday.The sentencing hearing will begin at Southwark Crown Court at 10.30am. Stay with us for all the latest updates.