Russell Brand sentencing live: Disgraced comedian in court and faces 'significant jail time'

Brand's lawyer launches astonishing f-word tirade after guilty verdict Russell Brand sentencing live: Disgraced comedian in court and faces 'significant jail time' Russell Brand is due to be sentenced at Southwark Crown Court after being found guilty of rape and three counts of sexual assault - he has been warned he faces a ‘significant custodial term’ The 51-year-old disgraced former comedian was found guilty at Southwark Crown Court of raping a woman in 2009, as well as sexually assaulting female TV and radio workers in a five-year period during the peak of his career in the 2000s. Judge Mr Justice Bennathan refused to grant Brand bail on Thursday afternoon and sent him straight to HMP Wandsworth - where he was reportedly placed in isolation away from other inmates. Brand is currently under investigation over two further rape allegations - and Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said his officers are braced for “many, many more” possible victims to come forward. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said yesterday that the case was a wake-up call for women in the media industry, and warned: “We need far more robust processes in place to protect women like the women who bravely came forward in the Russell Brand case to make sure that they are protected and treated seriously. “Hand on heart, I don’t think we can say that this couldn’t happen today.” Follow this live blog for the latest updates from Southwark Crown Court Benedict Tetzlaff Deas 'He just grabbed me' The court heard how, at a party of his former MTV colleagues in 2004, Brand grabbed a woman's breasts while standing in the middle of the bar. He was cleared of dragging the woman, who was 32, to the men's toilets and orally raping her. But he was convicted of the sexual assault at the party in Soho, Central London. Southwark crown court heard a police interview in which she said she was excited to meet Brand, but that within a minute of starting a conversation he had sexually assaulted her. She said: "He literally just grabbed my boobs, out of nowhere, just in the middle of a conversation.” Benedict Tetzlaff Deas Russell Brand claimed to have ‘felt presence of god’ during rape trial Russell Brand claimed to have felt the “presence of God” in the courtroom in his religious-themed podcast, which he continued to record while standing trial for rape and sexual assault. Brand told reporters repeatedly that he was “blessed” as he arrived at Southwark Crown Court each morning to face the charges. Russell Brand was seen wearing a crucifix in his court appearances Benedict Tetzlaff Deas Brand ‘monitored around the clock’ after being remanded in custody Russell Brand was "monitored around the clock" after being denied bail by a judge following his conviction last week, it was claimed. A source told The Sun :"The first night for anyone in a jail is really daunting - and Brand was petrified. It will be a massive shock to the system to him and he will be monitored around the clock." Benedict Tetzlaff Deas Brand said 'I'm good' after being found guilty Brand loudly exclaimed "Yes, my Lord" when he was remanded into custody after his convictions on Thursday. As he was led to the cells, he mouthed "I'm good, I'm good" to his barrister. Benedict Tetzlaff Deas Marriage to Katy Perry kept out of trial In the opening stages of the trial, prosecutors wanted to mention Brand’s marriage to former wife Katy Perry. But the Grammy-nominated singer was removed from lead prosecutor Riel Karmy-Jones KC’s speech after submissions made by Brand’s legal team. Russell Brand and Katie Perry were married between 2010 and 2012 Benedict Tetzlaff Deas BBC says ‘no place for abuse of power’ The BBC has said “there can be no place for the abuse of power” in the aftermath of the Radio 2 presenter Russell Brand being found guilty of rape and sexual assault. Brand joined the BBC in 2006 to host The Russell Brand Show on Radio 6 Music, before the programme moved to Radio 2. He left the broadcaster in 2008 following the “Sachsgate” scandal, during which he sexually explicit messages on Fawlty Towers actor Andrew Sachs’ ansaphone. Last year, the BBC reviewed eight allegations of misconduct involving Russell Brand during his tenure at the broadcaster between 2006 and 2008. It found that the "culture of the time" and fear of Brand's high profile and management backing led many staff members to feel unable to raise concerns about his behaviour. The BBC said there can be ‘no place for the abuse of power’ Benedict Tetzlaff Deas Russell Brand’s barrister to face standards probe after ‘swearing at reporter’ Russell Brand’s barrister has reported himself to his professional regulator after being accused of a tirade at a journalist shortly after the comedian had been found guilty of rape. Ian Winter KC confronted Sunday Times journalist Rosamund Urwin, whose investigation led to Brand’s victims coming forward, telling her: “I hope you are pleased with yourself.” Ms Urwin responded: “I’m pleased justice has been done”, before Mr Winter said: “Well, it wasn’t. You f***** it.” Ian Winter KC has referred himself to the Bar Standards Board Benedict Tetzlaff Deas Two new victims have come forward - and ‘many more’ expected Two further allegations against Brand are already being investigated - and Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said he expected more victims to come forward. He told LBC Radio: “At the moment, we’ve got two other victims who’ve come forward who want to tell their story, and so two rape cases we’re investigating. I wouldn’t be surprised if many, many more come forward, and we’re open to that.” Benedict Tetzlaff Deas Brand told last week he faces years behind bars Shortly after the verdicts were read out on Thursday, Judge Mr Justice Bennathan said: "Sit down Mr Brand." He added that "given the verdict on count six at least, obviously a custodial sentence of some length will result". Benedict Tetzlaff Deas Russell Brand to face sentencing today Russell Brand will appear for sentencing at Southwark Crown Court today after being found guilty of rape and three sexual assaults. He was remanded in custody on Thursday after the verdicts were read out by the judge.