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Family fear Russell Brand’s conviction has influenced Laura Gallacher’s views
The article reports that Russell Brand’s wife, Laura Gallacher, continues to support him after he was convicted of rape and sexual assault, and says her family are deeply worried about her. Relatives and family friends quoted in the piece believe Brand’s influence has led her to doubt the women who testified and to regard him as innocent; these are their claims, not established findings.
The article describes Gallacher attending the trial, taking notes and appearing in the couple’s online Christian videos, where she spoke about the strain of going to court. It says she is determined that Brand should appeal and that her family hope time apart may change her view. Brand, 51, and Gallacher, 39, have been married for nine years and have three children; he was due to be sentenced the following day.
In short
- Laura Gallacher’s family are concerned she still believes Russell Brand is innocent.
- Brand was convicted after six women gave evidence at his trial.
- Family friends hope time apart may change her perspective.
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The case for
Those concerned for Gallacher may see her continued support for Brand after his conviction as a sign that loyalty and his influence are making it harder for her to take in the evidence or consider the complainants’ accounts. They may hope that time and distance will help her reflect independently, particularly given the seriousness of the conviction and the strain on her family.
The case against
Gallacher may believe that supporting her husband and hoping for an appeal are consistent with her own assessment of the trial, rather than evidence that she has been unduly influenced. Attending court, taking notes and speaking publicly about the experience do not establish that she doubts the witnesses because of Brand, and her relatives’ fears remain their interpretation of her views.
Explained simply
Russell Brand is a British comedian and broadcaster who has also built an online following around Christian beliefs. He is married to Laura Gallacher, and they have three children.
Brand was convicted of rape and sexual assault after women gave evidence in court. Gallacher attended the trial and has appeared with him in online videos; relatives and family friends quoted in the article say they fear his influence has shaped her view of the case. Those comments are their account, rather than established findings.
The case affects the couple’s family as well as Brand’s public life. It also raises questions about how people close to someone accused or convicted of serious offences respond to the evidence and the court process.
Read the full article at the source →
Originally published by Daily Mail as “‘She was totally brainwashed’: Why Laura Gallagher’s family are deeply concerned about her… as they reveal how she became ‘besotted’ with Russell Brand, and her shock at verdict”.