For the other sexual assault offences Brand has been convicted of, Karmy-Jones has asked for custodial sentences of 1-4 years for each count.

Karmy-Jones has asked for a category one sentencing length for the rape conviction.

The gravity of such an offence carries a starting point of 12 years custody and a range of 10-15 years.

Karmy-Jones says Brand's manipulation of the young woman, and his degrading treatment of her afterwards caused her severe psychological harm, warranting the more serious penalty.

Karmy-Jones is arguing for the judge to consider the most serious category of sentencing for Brand, noting the "extreme impact" of his crimes on his victims.

She goes through the "severe psychological harm" caused by Brand, outlining how the rape victim feared she had contracted HIV from Brand after the attack after he removed the condom without permission.

She says Brand subjected her to further degrading treatment after the rape, telling her to clean up the aftermath and also getting his driver to remove her from his house.

Karmy-Jones notes the age difference- the victim was 21 at the time – and Brand knew that she had idolised him, and was 'star struck'.

Karmy- Jones says Brand knowingly exploited this by pursuing her through texts, phone calls and persuading her to meet up with him at his house, where he raped her.

The woman raped by Brand says she had to take time off work and returned to live with her parents because she felt so unsafe. She struggled to eat and sleep after the attack, she felt humiliated and overwhelmed.

Because he had such an immense public profile, she found it difficult to speak out.She said she didn't know who she could trust or confide in.

"I felt that if I reported him, I would not be believed. His fame, wealth and influence created a power imbalance which made me feel powerless.

"I did not have the confidence to challenge someone who appeared so powerful, rich and influential.

"His public profile meant he remained present in my life even when I wanted to move on."

There are common refrains about loss of confidence and self-worth, and feeling on edge and in danger in public spaces.

The woman who was raped by Brand said that before the attack she had wanted to pursue a career as a stand-up comedian but abandoned that path afterwards.

The rape affected her day to day life. "I became hyper vigilant and frequently found myself analysing the behaviour of others."

She says there were periods where she increased her alcohol consumption "to block out my feelings and memories".

She says she suffered immense distress and anguish, from both the attack, as Brand's profile rose, and also since, in pursuing a legal case.

"The consequences of what happened have affected almost every aspect of my life. Even now, I continue to experience anxiety, difficulties with trust, reduced confidence and the lasting effects of trauma.

"What happened is not something that I have simply been able to move on from."

Judge Bennathan thanked the woman for coming to court to relay her statement in front of so many people.

Karmy-Jones KC is reading out the other victim impact statements from other women.

She says after becoming a mother, she gained strength from her daughter and came forward to report to police after the 2023 media reports.

She had a panic attack after seeing the reports of Brand committing similar crimes against other women. She describes the anguish of having people question her experience online and says she has also faced threats from Brand super-fans.

She goes on to relay how she watched Brand's fame grow.

"For many years as his star was rising, he was all over the media, celebrated."

She said she felt visibly sick at the sight of him being paraded around and lauded and "thinking he could get away with it."

She begins saying she wanted to express how this crime had affected her.

"I was in complete shock and turmoil for weeks trying to process" the abuse.

"I was extremely upset and traumatised," by the incident.

"It really affected how I viewed myself, I didn't have any respect for myself and got into situations with toxic men because I felt I didn't have any self-worth.

"I lost love for myself for a long time, thinking I was damaged goods."

"That undeserved feeling of shame and what if I did this or that, has been carried around for 20 years."

Curtains are being drawn now so that one of the victims can be shielded from being seen by others in the courtroom as she reads out her remarks.

Blue screens are being set up too to create a sectioned-off quarter in the room.

She doesn't want to be seen by Brand in the box either. She only wants to deliver her remarks to the judge, for his consideration in sentencing.

Karmy-Jones begins her remarks, briefly recounting Brand's career trajectory and fame and success as a comedian.
She turns to the victim impact statements.

The judge says they will pull the curtains so he can hear the impact statement from the victim who has come to court to deliver her remarks.

The victim only wants to be seen by the judge.

Judge Bennathan confirms he is aiming to deliver his sentencing at 2pm, after considering the submissions from both sides.

Judge Joel Bennathan has entered the court. All rise.

Karmy-Jones is ready to deliver her opening remarks.

Both counsel have already made written submissions to the judge.

Sky News has been granted permission to broadcast Judge Bennathan's sentencing remarks later today.

There has been a bit of a delay to the start of the hearing but the barristers in the case have now taken their seats.

The court appears to have been arranged to protect witnesses giving impact statements in court.

One of Brand's victims is due to give her victim impact statement live in court, with others expected to be read by the prosecution.

Brand's supporters including his wife, Laura, father, Ron, and security guard, Joe McCann, are in the public gallery, directly behind the dock.