‘A leopard may change its spots, but it’s still a leopard’published at 12:54 GMT
12:54 GMT
Image source, ReutersImage caption,
The van believed to be carrying Russell Brand arriving at Southwark Crown Court in London this morning
Russell Brand arrived at Southwark Crown Court this morning from prison, where he was held after being found guilty of rape and three counts of sexual assault on Thursday.
He spent the morning listening to statements from the victims of his crime – one of whom spoke to the court in person, from behind a curtain, so only the judge could see her.
The victim who spoke in person said Russell Brand’s actions left her “in shock and turmoil for weeks”.
For many years – as Brand’s star was rising – it was impossible to avoid seeing him in the media, the woman said, which made her feel “physically sick”.
She finished by saying: “I just want to say – a leopard may change its spots, but it’s still a leopard.”
Another victim, whose statement was read by the prosecution counsel, said Brand’s offending “has had a lasting impact on my life”.
She added that “over the years, hearing his voice on television or seeing his image has made me jump”.
Her statement ended with: “Russell Brand is a sexual predator who has no remorse… I just hope he is not allowed to hurt any more women.”
A statement from a third victim described how she “struggled to sleep and eat” after she was anally raped by Brand in 2009, and had to take time away from work and live with her parents: “I am living with trauma and something I carry every day.”
She said one of the worst parts of what happened was her fear that she might have contracted HIV.
Brand’s public profile made it difficult for her to move on, she said: “He was so powerful, rich and influential.”
A fourth victim described in her statement how she “lost my trust in people” after she was sexually assaulted by Brand.
She said that following the incident she was “really upset” and felt she “lost my trust in people”.
“I felt my working environment wasn’t safe,” she said, adding: “I felt powerless in that moment.”
Image source, Elizabeth Cook / PAImage caption,
Russell Brand sketched in court on Thursday, when he was found guilty