Warning: This article contains discussion of rape and sexual assault which some readers may find distressing.
As Russell Brand is sentenced today (9 November), one of his victims has read a powerful statement out in court.
She delivered her witness impact statement from behind the curtain to protect her anonymity.
Brand looked straight ahead, showing no emotion as she included: “As they say a leopard may change its spots but at the end of the day it’s still a leopard and not a gazelle.”
The actor is being sentenced for rape and three counts of sexual assault after being found guilty on Thursday, having faced seven charges in total. He has already been warned by the judge to expect a lengthy prison sentence.
The woman, who was sexually assaulted by Brand in a Soho bar in 2004, said in her statement: “I wanted to express how this crime has affected me over the years.”
The court is hearing four victim impact statements, with one delivered in person. (Leon Neal/Getty Images)
“When it happened, I was in complete shock and turmoil for weeks trying to process what had happened to me,” she said.
“I was extremely upset and traumatised. It really affected how I viewed myself, I didn’t have any respect for myself and got into situations with toxic men as I didn’t have any self-worth.
“I literally lost any love for myself for a long time thinking that I was damaged goods.”
She recalled it being ‘impossible’ to escape seeing Brand all over the media over the years ‘being celebrated for his disgusting behaviour against women like it was all a joke’.
“There were many times I felt visibly sick at the sight of him parading around think he can get away with anything,” she continued
“Over the years I tried not to think about it and get on with my life – I had a beautiful daughter who helped me to heal and learn to love myself again and to try and be the best mum in the world for her.”
Brand is being sentenced for rape and three counts of sexual assault. (Dave Hogan/Getty Images)
She said for weeks after the attack she was in ‘complete shock and turmoil’ and has ‘carried around’ shame for 20 years.
“I was extremely upset and traumatised, it really affected how I view myself, I didn’t have any respect for myself and got into toxic situations with men as I didn’t have any self worth,” she added.
“I felt vulnerable when I was going out for the evening for a long time after it happened, scared of given any signal could be taken the wrong way.”
The woman said that seeing the front pages of a paper discussing her allegations caused her to have ‘the only panic attack’ she’s ever had in her life.
“Even more terrifying was seeing my character be torn apart on social media by people believing all of us women were making it up,” she continued. “It was hugely upsetting for myself, my family and friends who wanted to scream at their phones whilst scrolling through.
“There’s been accusations and death threats from manic supporters of him on social media which has installed a genuine fear that my name will somehow get out there and some crazy person will come after me or my family.
“The last three years have been a massive strain on myself and my family navigating this whole procedure, the fear and anticipation of the trial has taken a huge toll on my mental and physical health.”
“As they say a leopard may change its spots but at the end of the day it’s still a leopard and not a gazelle.”
Coming to the end of her statement, she said: “I felt like my life was on hold for all of that time waiting my time to speak out about what happened to me.”
And she concluded with something she said she had ‘read the other day’.
“As they say a leopard may change its spots but at the end of the day it’s still a leopard and not a gazelle.”
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.
If you have been affected by any of the issues in this article and wish to speak to someone in confidence, contact The Survivors Trust for free on 08088 010 818, available 10am-12.30pm, 1.30pm-3pm and 6pm-8pm Monday to Thursday, 10am-12.30pm and 1.30pm-3pm on Fridays, 10am-12.30pm on Saturdays and 6pm-8pm on Sundays.
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