Russell Brand is “fuming” behind bars and is blaming “evil forces” for what he believes is a “systematic stitch up”, sources have claimed. The ex comedian was sentenced to 10 years and six months behind bars after being found guilty of rape and sexual assault.
But he is reportedly still acting “arrogant” and “above it all” – and maintaining his innocence despite the evidence presented against him in court.
A source close to the case said: “He still will say to anyone who will listen that he believes it is the system against him, a mockery of the justice system and believes he has been stitched up by higher powers.
“It’s clear he still has zero remorse for his actions against his victims and believes it is all a ploy against him.
“Despite the horror evidence heard against him, he still maintains evil forces are up against him and that’s why he is behind bars.”
Brand is maintaining the court case was a stitch up(Image: Getty Images)
Brand is also reportedly said to be “furious” with his legal team and in particular Ian Winter KC, who represented him in court during the eight week trial in Southwark Crown Court.
The source continued: “Even when presented with the cases and the testimony of the women, Brand appeared unrelenting. He did not react, while his wife Laura shook her head during the victim impact statements. It paints a picture, and not one of regret for his actions or accountability.
“Even now they believe he is innocent.”
Brand and wife Laura also had their say publicly throughout the trial, speaking about matters on their joint YouTube series and podcast, Sunday Service.
Laura and Russell have spoken about the trial on their podcast(Image: Getty Images)
In an earlier episode titled ‘the eye of the storm’, the pair spoke about what it felt like for them turning up to the court case day after day, saying the photographers outside the court seemed to create “an eerie atmosphere”.
During that episode Brand claimed the media had a “predetermined narrative” for his destruction, comparing modern reality to the Jim Carrey film The Truman Show and quoting psalms about “the accuser” casting a net against him
The pair also frequently discussed “evil” and spiritual warfare against them, and during one episode, Brand held up a Bible and recited a passage from Ephesians about putting on the “full armour of God” to stand one’s ground when the “day of evil” comes.
On the October 18, 2026 episode, Laura revealed how they actively avoided news coverage of the rape and sexual assault trial, stating, “It’s too evil… There’s dark. It’s darkness.”
Brand was convicted of raping a woman fan and sexually assaulting three other women working in television and radio during his rise to fame. He is said to be considering hiring a different legal team in the event that he faces further charges, legal sources told the Daily Mail.
Lawyer Ian Winter KC was Russell Brand’s barrister and it is said Brand is not happy with him(Image: South China Morning Post via Getty Images)
Mr Winter faced criticism over his questioning of the women who gave evidence against Brand. Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley suggested his approach came close to victim blaming.
During the trial, the barrister told jurors that none of the complainants had “resisted, screamed or even tried to leave”. Speaking to the BBC, Sir Mark described the remarks as “very close to victim blaming, which is something we’ve thought very hard about in policing and make sure we don’t do”.
Mr Winter’s arguments also appeared to receive a sceptical response from sentencing judge Mr Justice Bennathan.
The barrister had argued that Brand was a “fundamentally different person today” and had been “extraordinarily famous” when the offences took place.
However, the judge questioned the relevance of the time that had passed since the crimes were committed. He said: “To say ‘He got away with it for 17 years’ is not necessarily a huge piece of mitigation, is it?”
During sentencing, Mr Justice Bennathan stressed that women always “retain the right to say no and demand justice in the criminal courts” from sexual predators.
Meanwhile, Mr Winter has referred himself to the Bar Standards Board following an angry confrontation with a journalist outside Southwark Crown Court after the verdicts.
The barrister confronted Sunday Times chief news correspondent Rosamund Urwin, who had worked on a joint investigation into Brand with Channel 4’s Dispatches.
When Ms Urwin responded, “I’m pleased justice has been done”, he replied: “Well it wasn’t… you f***** it,” before walking away.
In a statement issued on Friday, Mr Winter said: “Having seen the ways matters have been characterised in today’s press I consider my professional duty requires me to self-report those allegations to the Bar Standards Board, so the matter can be subject to proper scrutiny. I have made such a report.”
