Culture & Society · 9 Proficient · November 10, 2026

Russell Brand Convicted; Ex-Girlfriend Speaks Out

Photo: khezez | خزاز via Pexels

Vocabulary

casual arrogant disregard ˈkæʒuəl ˈærəɡənt dɪsˈrɛɡɑrd noun phrase

a careless and rude lack of respect or concern for something important

The judge said Brand showed casual arrogant disregard for women's right to refuse him.

coercive control koʊˈɜrsɪv kənˈtroʊl noun phrase

the use of threats or force to control someone's behavior and limit their freedom

Jemima Goldsmith accused Brand of violence, coercive control and abuse in her statement.

declined to press charges dɪˈklaɪnd tu prɛs tʃɑrdʒɪz verb phrase

chose not to pursue legal action against someone accused of a crime

Goldsmith called police to remove Brand from her house but declined to press charges.

Article

Russell Brand, a 51-year-old entertainer, was sentenced to ten-and-a-half years in prison on Monday after a conviction for rape and sexual assault. A judge found him guilty of raping one woman at his home in 2009 and of sexually assaulting three other women. During sentencing, the judge emphasized that Brand had shown "casual arrogant disregard" for women's right to refuse him, and that his celebrity status had allowed him to believe he could act as he wished. The case drew significant media attention and prompted several women to come forward with accounts of his behavior.

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