£3,000 given in Russell Brand’s name to rape crisis charity after 2009 rape

The South Essex Rape and Incest Crisis Centre received £3,000 in Russell Brand’s name in late 2010, the BBC reports. The donation followed a rape he committed in spring 2009, for which he was convicted this month.

The money helped pay for the charity’s 25th anniversary party. Its founder, Sheila Coates, told the BBC that the centre had written to a number of famous people asking for donations and received the money through Brand’s management.

“We had no contact with him at all,” she said. It is not clear whether Brand personally authorised the donation.

Brand was found guilty of rape and three sexual assaults on 5 November. The offences involved four women and took place between 2004 and 2009. He was sentenced on 9 November to 10 years and six months in prison.

He denied the charges and was acquitted of two other rape charges and one count of attempted indecent assault.

Coates told the BBC she was concerned about victim blaming following the verdict, including questions about why victims had not reported assaults sooner.