Wednesday, 11 November 2026 Updated 44 min ago
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Judge praised for dismantling rape myths in Russell Brand sentencing

The Guardian reported that Mr Justice Bennathan, who sentenced comedian Russell Brand, was lauded by the Criminal Bar Association and campaigners for his…

Image accompanying the story: Judge praised for dismantling rape myths in Russell Brand sentencing
Image: Photograph: Cameras in Court/PA · via The Guardian

The Guardian reported that Mr Justice Bennathan, who sentenced comedian Russell Brand, was lauded by the Criminal Bar Association and campaigners for his sentencing remarks. The judge’s comments were described as having “piercing clarity” as he tackled rape myths that had featured in the trial. He also called out “enablers” who witnessed the assaults, drawing particular approval from those groups. The praise focused on the way the judge confronted misconceptions about sexual violence and highlighted the responsibility of by‑standers.

Why it matters

The judge’s remarks aim to challenge harmful myths about rape and hold witnesses accountable, influencing public understanding of sexual assault cases.

Key details

Location
United Kingdom · Europe
Reported by
The Guardian
First reported
Key names
Russell Brand, Mr Justice Bennathan, Criminal Bar Association
Section
Politics

Sources

This is an independent summary. Read the full, original reporting from the publisher:

Read the full story at The Guardian

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