Russell Brand accused of ‘brainwashing’ wife Laura Gallacher of his innocence as close family ‘deeply concerned’

Those closest to Ms Gallacher’s family believe the 51-year-old comedian has exerted such powerful influence over his wife that she cannot see past his protestations of innocence, according to the Daily Mail.

One family friend told the newspaper: “Russell gets what Russell wants. He has that charm and swagger, and Laura is besotted with him.

“She goes along with what he wants; it’s like he has totally brainwashed her.”

The friend suggested that Brand’s imprisonment might finally offer Ms Gallacher the space to reconsider their relationship away from his direct influence.

Ms Gallacher remains convinced her husband was wrongly found guilty and is reportedly determined to back an appeal against his convictions, according to sources close to the family.

The jury’s split verdict – Brand was cleared of two additional rape charges and one count of attempted indecent assault – has apparently reinforced her view that the remaining allegations were equally unfounded.

A friend told the Mail that Ms Gallacher regards the three acquittals as evidence that the guilty verdicts were also wrong.

She has confided to those around her that she intends to relocate permanently from the family’s Florida home to their property in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, bringing their three young children with her.

The move would keep her close to Brand while he serves what is expected to be a lengthy custodial sentence.

A friend described her as “resolutely loyal,” adding that her “whole world has collapsed” following the convictions.

GB News has contacted members of the Gallacher family for comment on the reports.

Brand was found guilty of raping a 21-year-old fan at his London home after meeting her backstage at the Hammersmith Apollo in February 2009.

He was also convicted of sexually assaulting an MTV worker at a Soho bar in 2004, a Capital Radio employee he encountered in approximately 2004 or 2005, and a Channel 4 staff member during a forced massage in 2009.

The jury acquitted him of raping a woman he met at a cabaret event during the 1999 Labour Party conference in Bournemouth, orally raping the MTV worker, and attempting to indecently assault another MTV employee in 2001.

His sentencing is scheduled for Monday at Southwark Crown Court, where he faces a potentially substantial prison term. Rape convictions can carry a life sentence, with standard maximum determinate terms reaching up to 19 years.

Brand is currently being held at HMP Wandsworth in solitary confinement, with prison staff reportedly keeping him isolated over fears that other inmates could target him.

Throughout the trial, Ms Gallacher sat in the public gallery, arriving hand-in-hand with Brand and taking notes as six women gave their accounts.

Those around her reportedly observed what they interpreted as mounting anger, with sources claiming she dismissed the testimony as lies.

When she took the stand as the sole in-person defence witness, Ms Gallacher described Brand as a “kind” and “caring” husband and “wonderful father” who made her feel “very seen.”

Gallacher’s family are now said to be gathering around her and the children as they confront a deeply uncertain future.

Her elder sister, former Sky Sports presenter Kirsty Gallacher, is among those offering support, while their parents – former European Ryder Cup captain Bernard Gallacher and his wife Lesley – are reported to be heartbroken by the ordeal.

One family friend reflected to the Mail: “You can’t help thinking life would have been way less painful for Laura if they had never met.”