To be absolutely furious at Brand's barrister?

[Bollihobs]

Just reading the live sentencing of Russell Brand and this is what his defence barrister, Ian Wilson KC has come out with, presumably in a hand-wringing attempt to lessen the sentence.

Ian Winter KC told Southwark Crown Court that Russell Brand's rape and sexual assault convictions have caused 'total devastation' to his wife Laura Gallacher – but she is 'standing by him'. He said "they have been 'wrestling with how to explain' to their ten-year-old child what has happened to their father. 🤔

Mr Winter said: 'I'm afraid words are completely inadequate to truly try to convey to your Lordship the total devastation she's experiencing.

'Currently (they) are wrestling with how to exactly explain to a child who's just turned ten what has happened here. It brings home the consequences of this conduct to totally innocent people who have been caught up in it.'

WTF??? Surely the only non-innocent person is Brand. The "innocent people caught up in this" are his victims first and foremost. And as for "what has happened to their father" ???? Well, justice came knocking that's what happened!

I have no idea how to complain about a barrister's conduct but I really want to. This is just appalling.

If he didn't do this, then Brand would be able to appeal on the basis of ineffective representation. The actual victims won't be able to have their closure and know this is all over now.

The barrister is actually helping the victims by doing his job properly; so there are no loose ends Brand can start yanking on in his desperation to save himself.

This. Amd his son is innocent and has been caught up in it as his barrister pointed out It shouldn't change the sentence though

I’ve had to switch it off, the sentencing. The descriptions are so graphic, and rightly so, but I can’t listen for my own reasons. I pray no child has wandered in to a room where Sky news is on.

YANBU to be horrified by his words - must be horrific for the victims to hear.
But it is just the Barrister doing his job to the best of his ability.
Not the same thing at all - but when my divorce went to court, exH's Barrister came out with all sorts of crap - I had to actually zone out and not listen, as his excuses as to why I should be entitled to less than my fair share were so outrageous. I won my case in the end though, my Barrister also did her job well!
Barristers can and do scrape the barrel to stick up for their clients - doesn't mean they'll win.

This is literally his job.

Defence barristers must offer mitigation where they can. Just as the prosecution must offer aggravating factors where they can.

This helps to ensure that the sentence passed properly takes into account all factors and that the sentence is robust and fairly passed. Good defence and prosecution barristers offering solid mitigation and aggravating factors mean there is much less chance of sentences being appealed and reduced later.

to be honest that's pretty much exactly what some people (mainly men) have been posting all over social media - basically there's absolutely no excuse for ruining a child's life! (also something about it being the kid's birthday this week?)

at least the barrister's literal job is to try and mitigate, I find it worse that so many people are doing anything they can to excuse him for free!

I mean his barrister is an almost equally slimy character given everything else he's said/done throughout the trial but at least this is actually part of his job, unlike trying to intimidate journalists outside court!

Unfortunately it's his job, that's what happens in all court cases. It's not unusual.

This is all way below the standard set by the bar, perhaps you need to read up on them.
Nothing short of appalling, disgracefully so. Sickening.

Is 10 years 6 months enough for the OP?

I absolutely hate it when "their child shouldn't suffer for their parent's actions" is used as an excuse to keep someone out of prison. I remember it being trotted out to justify Anne Sacoolas doing a runner to America to avoid justice for killing Harry Dunn. Her children will be far, far more harmed by seeing their mother prove that you can take a life and get away with it because of who your husband is. Same with Brand - what message would it send to his son if he saw that you can commit rape and sex assault and not get a hefty sentence for it?

He has to do his job in putting forward mitigation. Obviously there is a right and wrong way of doing it, and I haven’t listened to what he said in court so can’t comment.

He’s going to be in trouble with the Bar Standards Board for confronting the journalist though

^ that being said, the defence lawyer is just doing his job, and if he didn't then Brand could appeal the sentence.

I kind of get it if it’s a single parent or a mother who’s the main carer being sentenced.

Not a father who probably shouldn’t be around kids anyway!

If concerned start here:

www.barstandardsboard.org.uk/for-the-public/problems-with-a-barrister/reporting-a-concern.html

I hate to say it but probably a less damaging message than 18 years being raised in the care system.

If you've ever been in a court room this is the reality its not just this case this is how it is. This is their job. Yes its disgusting but someone has to do it

The said barrister also represented a nasty former MP whose name escaped me.

I was working this morning so didn’t follow it but apparently the Guardian confirmed it in their live stream, Winter read it out: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/live/2026/nov/09/russell-brand-sentencing-rape-sexual-assault-live-news-updates?page=with:block-6af1d5e58f08c30857a8566f

Yes, it's his job.

Yep. Even the most heinous people have the right to a defence and to mitigation in court, as it should be.

Agreed @PopPopHopAbout

His barrister couldn't conceivably mitigate for the crimes RB was convicted of, so is trying "Have sympathy for his family" instead.

I don't believe he was thinking of the women RB actually violated, whatsoever.

Apart from his wife.

It says a lot about the 'friends' you have in showbusiness.

But in reality seven. I thought the judge’s summation was very good.

The cab rank rules mean that barristers can't pick and choose what cases they take on - you get what you're given.

I pray their parents know better!