Jemima Goldsmith, who was in a relationship with Russell Brand for approximately one year during the mid-2010s, has publicly accused the disgraced entertainer of engaging in "violence, coercive control and abuse" during their time together. In a lengthy statement shared on social media, the 52-year-old revealed that she had to call the police in 2014 to have Brand removed from her residence following a violent incident, though she ultimately decided against pressing criminal charges at that time.
Goldsmith explained that her decision to avoid formal legal action was driven by concerns regarding the potential impact of press attention on her children, who were teenagers at the time.
She described the period as a difficult chapter in her life with lasting consequences, though she noted her personal suffering pales in comparison to the experiences of the women who testified against Brand in court. Goldsmith, who has not spoken to or seen Brand since 2014, stated she is "glad and relieved" he has "finally faced justice" and expressed admiration for the courage of those who came forward.
Brand, 51, was sentenced to 10-and-a-half years in prison on Monday following his conviction for rape and sexual assault. He was found guilty of anally raping a woman at his residence in 2009 and committing three counts of sexual assault against three other individuals. During the sentencing hearing, the judge noted that Brand displayed a "casual arrogant disregard to any woman's right to say no," believing his celebrity status allowed him to act without consequence.
Victim impact statements were read during the hearing, with one woman describing how she felt "upset and traumatised" for years, fearing she was "damaged goods." The woman he was convicted of raping stated that the trauma is something she must "carry every day." A van believed to be carrying Brand was seen arriving at HMP Wandsworth in London on Monday following the sentencing.
In her statement, Goldsmith also addressed a 2015 injunction she and Brand obtained against a woman named Szilvia Berki, which prohibited Berki from discussing an alleged assault by Brand at Goldsmith's home in 2014. Goldsmith provided her account of the event, stating that Berki visited her home on June 7, 2014, for a massage that never occurred.
Goldsmith claimed that Berki later told police she was pushed by Brand and attacked by a dog, but Goldsmith maintained she witnessed nothing untoward. According to Goldsmith, police reviewed CCTV footage and her witness statement before concluding there was no case to answer.
Goldsmith further alleged that Berki subsequently posted "wild and untrue allegations" and sent "vicious antisemitic and threatening" messages to her online. She stated that she agreed to the injunction at the suggestion of Brand's legal counsel to prevent further harassment, noting that recent media coverage of the legal order has subjected her to "vile hatred and abuse." Goldsmith confirmed she assisted journalists investigating the allegations against Brand and was prepared to testify about his "abusiveness" had they faced legal action.
