Russell Brand has been sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison after being convicted of rape and three counts of sexual assault involving four women between 2004 and 2009.

The comedian and actor is expected to serve approximately two-thirds of his sentence in prison, meaning he could be released before completing the full term, subject to the applicable release arrangements.

During sentencing, the judge strongly criticised Brand's conduct, describing him as a sexual predator who had repeatedly lied and demonstrated an extraordinary level of arrogance.

The court also heard powerful victim impact statements from the women involved, detailing the lasting emotional and psychological consequences of the offences.

One victim described experiencing severe emotional distress following the incident, explaining how the experience affected her confidence and self-respect. Another woman spoke about the lasting impact of what happened, expressing concerns about Brand's lack of remorse.

A further victim told the court how powerless she had felt during the assault, while the woman who was raped by Brand in 2009 described continuing to live with the trauma of the attack. She also revealed that she had feared contracting HIV following the incident.

Brand faced seven criminal charges, including three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of attempted indecent assault. He was convicted of rape and three sexual assault offences but found not guilty on three other counts.

The offences took place over a five-year period, between 2004 and 2009, and involved four women. All four victims are entitled to lifelong anonymity under the law.

The sentencing marks a significant development in the criminal case against Brand, with the court recognising the seriousness of the offences and the lasting impact they have had on the victims.