Russell Brand's wife Laura Gallacher is suffering 'total devastation' but still 'standing by him' after he was convicted of rape and sexual assault, lawyers say

Laura Gallacher is determined to stand by Russell Brand and has no intention of leaving him after he was jailed for more than 10 years for rape and sexual assault. The mother of his three children is in the midst of 'total devastation' after her husband was convicted of four sex attacks.Laura – the sister of TV presenter Kirsty Gallacher and daughter of Ryder Cup-winning golfer Bernard Gallacher – is bereft and struggling with how to tell their children the truth about his crimes.Ms Gallacher left Southwark Crown Court on the verge of tears yesterday, having crumpled in her seat as the sentence was passed. She had been seen shaking her head as his victims gave statements about the impact of his sex attacks.She then fell forward in disbelief before composing herself and mouthing: 'I love you' to Brand, who waved to her as he was led down to the cells. She placed her hand on the glass dock wall and whispered back 'I love you'.Laura's devotion to him, which some sources close to her family have described as closer to 'brainwashing', was laid bare by his legal team as they argued for a more lenient prison sentence.Ian Winter KC told the judge that Brand's wife was 'standing by him'.He said: 'Words are completely inadequate to convey the total devastation she's experiencing.'They are wrestling with how to explain to a child who's just turned 10 what has just happened here and the consequences of this conduct to totally innocent people who have been caught up in it.' Laura Gallacher mouths 'I love you' to Brand who waved as he was sent down to the cells - after the court heard that she was standing by him The mother of three has collapsed forwards when she heard he would receive more than 10 years in prison Laura Gallacher was helped through the crowds outside into a waiting Mercedes after he husband was jailedShe fought back tears as she left court on Monday, holding hands with a friend Brand with his wife at Southwark Crown Court last Thursday, hours before he was convictedMoments later the mother-of-three left court, hiding her red-rimmed eyes behind sunglasses as she faced difficult questions about why she is standing by the rapist.When the comedian left Southwark Crown Court a short time later in a prison van, members of the public banged on the windows, with one man shouting: 'Not so funny now, Russell, are you?'He is now being investigated over new abuse claims.Police have received 'multiple reports' of sexual abuse since the 51-year-old comedian and actor was convicted of raping one woman and assaulting three others.Last night former girlfriend Jemima Goldsmith, 52, became the latest to come forward, accusing Brand of 'violence, coercive control and abuse'. She said she was so terrified after a 'violent incident' in 2014 that she called police to remove him from her £15million Cotswolds mansion.An unrepentant Brand yesterday showed no emotion as a judge said he had abused his celebrity to prey on women, believing 'fame meant you could act how you liked, when you liked, unhindered by the rules by which decent people live'.In the dock, Brand sat blinking in disbelief as he was told that he will serve at least seven years of a ten-and-a-half-year sentence for attacks on four women between 2004 and 2009.Brand now faces the prospect of a second trial as police sift through a raft of new claims, and prosecutors are expected to decide within weeks whether to charge him with two further alleged rapes, including an attack on a 16-year-old.Yesterday Mr Justice Bennathan said the defendant had harboured a 'casual arrogant disregard to any woman's right to say no to you', telling 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.'The judge blasted Brand's 'staggering arrogance' and belief that his 'status protected' him after he resorted to smearing journalists when they first exposed his attacks in 2023. He also criticised Brand's entourage for indulging 'dreadful behaviour' after assaults took place in front of staff who laughed or did nothing.He paid tribute to the 'determination and bravery' of the victims. '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,' he said.Mr Justice Bennathan made a point of condemning rape myths after Brand's defence barrister came under fire for reeling off a series of stereotypes, suggesting the victims should not be believed because they did not scream more, kick or slap him.The judge 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's barrister, Ian Winter KC, was paid around £1million for defending him, legal sources have told the Daily Mail. The fraud specialist was hired after several top female barristers refused to defend him, it is understood.But the move backfired, with Mr Winter facing a Bar Standards Board probe after launching a foul-mouthed tirade at the journalist whose investigation exposed Brand, telling her after the verdict that she had 'f*****' justice. A sketch of Brand front, his wife Laura left, his father Ron right, and his bodyguard at the back as he was sentenced Ronald Brand, the father of Russell Brand told reporters his son was the real victim of the trial Two of Brand's supporters weep outside the court as Brand was sentenced for four sex attacks They were holding this banner Brand's crucifix could be seen through the window of the prison van as he was driven awayAndy Burnham is now promising to change the law, saying he will be 'relentless in making whatever improvements' to provide more support for victims. In court yesterday Mr Winter claimed his client had been unfairly portrayed as a 'monster', telling the judge that Brand should be regarded as a man who had a 'short, momentary total failure' to respect a woman's consent.Despite Brand's conviction for rape, Mr Winter raised eyebrows among those in the court when he suggested his client should be sentenced 'not in the way that he has been portrayed over the last four days [as someone] who is, in general terms, a rapist'. We speak to the detective who brought down Russell BrandHi, I'm Alex Matthews, Editor of The Crime Desk.Russell Brand has been found guilty of rape and three sexual assaults - and our reporters Caroline Cheetham and Liz Hull were in court every day to witness it all. They sat down with Detective Inspector Laura Nelson who revealed why the women who accused him in the infamous documentary were not involved in his rape trial. Subscribe to The Crime Desk to listen to the podcast. Brand will serve two-thirds of his prison sentence before being released on licence.He is expected to consult lawyers about an appeal, but legal sources say the jury's mixed verdicts will make it difficult to persuade appeal judges.Brand was found guilty of rape and three sexual assaults, but cleared of two further rapes and an attempted indecent assault.One source said: '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.'The mixed verdicts show the jury reached their verdicts on the facts, regardless of the media attention, which makes an appeal very tricky.'Following the sentencing, Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy appealed for Brand's victims to come forward.He said: '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.' Jemima Goldsmith, pictured with Brand in 2013, has accused the rapist of 'violence, coercive control and abuse' after it emerged she and the disgraced comedian gagged a massage therapist for more than a decadeHow did Russell Brand become a predator? What comes next? Get exclusive insight from The Crime Desk as we talk to police, psychologists, lawyers and more. Sign up by clicking here. READ MOREI covered every day of the Russell Brand trial... no amount of prayers were ever going to save him What now for Brand's 'sweet and shy' wife Laura? The daughter of golf legend Bernard Gallacher fell under his spell as a teenager. Now insiders reveal her father is 'appalled' Katy Perry will 'reveal secrets about her "dark marriage" to convicted rapist Russell Brand in a new book and docuseries''She was totally brainwashed': Why Laura Gallacher's family are deeply concerned about her... as they reveal how she became 'besotted' with Russell Brand, and her shock at verdict Jemima Goldsmith accuses ex Russell Brand of 'violence, coercive control and abuse' after it emerged she and comic gagged massage therapist for a decade over mansion 'assault' 'The jury is corrupt': Russell Brand's father Ron insists his son is innocent, says ten-year rape sentence is 'unfair' and claims victims 'chased and harassed' the actorRussell Brand sentencing: Rape and sexual assault victims' harrowing statements as actor is jailed for ten years What now for Brand's 'sweet and shy' wife Laura? The daughter of golf legend Bernard Gallacher fell under his spell as a teenager. Now insiders reveal her father is 'appalled'