Laura Gallacher supports Russell Brand outside Southwark Crown Court

Laura Gallacher, wife of comedian Russell Brand, appeared outside Southwark Crown Court on the morning of his sentencing for rape and sexual assault convictions. Gallacher, 39, arrived at the court in a minivan accompanied by a friend and a bodyguard. She had attended Brand's trial daily since it began and had previously provided character testimony on his behalf.

As she entered the building shortly after 9:20 am, more than an hour before the sentencing hearing was scheduled to start, Mrs Gallacher appeared to give a thumbs up to a protester. This individual was holding a large banner that read, "Russell Brand we stand with you. Christ was crucified for telling the truth. Russell is the truth."

This was the first time Mrs Gallacher had been seen publicly since leaving the courtroom in tears the previous Thursday, following the jury's guilty verdict. Brand, 51, was found guilty of raping a woman at his home in 2009, as well as three counts of sexual assault against other women between 2004 and 2009.

Brand has been informed that he faces a significant prison sentence. The maximum penalty for rape is up to 19 years imprisonment, while sexual assault convictions can result in a sentence of up to 10 years. The judge was due to consider victim impact statements and legal arguments before delivering the sentence later that morning.

Mrs Gallacher and Brand have been married since 2019 and have three children together. She had previously described him as an "amazingly attentive husband" in her character evidence presented during the trial.