'Staggeringly arrogant' predator Russell Brand is being probed over new abuse claims after 'multiple reports' came in following his rape conviction: Star begins 10½-year term - and further charges could follow 'in weeks'

Russell Brand is being investigated over new abuse claims, it can now be revealed after the 'staggeringly arrogant' sexual predator was jailed for more than ten years yesterday.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.His wife Laura Gallacher visibly crumpled in the public gallery, falling forward in her seat and fighting back tears. Before he was taken down to the cells, Brand mouthed to his wife 'I love you, we'll be OK', while she looked up at him, placed her hand on the glass dock wall and whispered back 'I love you'.Moments 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?' Russell Brand is being investigated over new abuse claims, it can now be revealed after the 'staggeringly arrogant' sexual predator was jailed for more than ten years yesterday Jemima Goldsmith has accused rapist Russell Brand of 'violence, coercive control and abuse' after it emerged she and the disgraced comedian gagged a massage therapist for more than a decade. The pair are pictured together in 2013 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' 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 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.Laura (centre) 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 convicted Some members of the public yelled abuse at a security van thought to be holding Brand as it left the court, banging on its side... with one man shouting: 'Not so funny now Russell.'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. Andy 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'. He told the court that Brand's wife Laura – the sister of TV presenter Kirsty Gallacher and daughter of Ryder Cup-winning golfer Bernard Gallacher – was devastated and struggling how to tell their children the truth.He said: 'I'm afraid words are completely inadequate to truly try to convey to your Lordship the total devastation she's experiencing. Currently (they) are wrestling with how to exactly explain to a child who's just turned ten what has happened here.'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.'How 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'