Convicted rapist Russell Brand is reportedly left "cowering in fear" in his cell at Wandsworth Prison, according to reports from The Mail on Sunday. Inmates at the south London jail have allegedly been chanting a football-style chant containing his name.
Brand, who was found guilty of rape and three sexual assaults on Thursday, is currently being held at the prison as he awaits sentencing on Monday at Southwark Crown Court. He has been warned by the judge to expect a lengthy custodial sentence.
Prisoners have reportedly been repeatedly chanting: “There’s a Brand new ne on the wing! A Brand new ne. Brand, you c***, you ain’t so f***ing lairy now.”
A source told The Mail on Sunday that weekends at Wandsworth can be monotonous due to understaffing, resulting in minimal out-of-cell time for prisoners. "They have to get their amusement somewhere, so they’ve made Brand the object, with hundreds of prisoners shouting the chant," the source stated.
According to the report, Brand has been moved to the vulnerable persons’ wing, which inmates reportedly refer to as the “n***e wing.” The conditions on this wing have been described as poor, with vermin and inhumane cell conditions.
Brand is said to be washing his own clothes in his cell sink and drying them on pipes that run through the cells, as there is no regular laundry collection. "Conditions are basic," a source said. "He has a small metal basin and a toilet in the cell."
The disgraced comedian reportedly did not bring any belongings with him to prison. The prison's assistant governor met with Brand upon his arrival, warning him to "expect the rough with the smooth."
Brand, who is a born-again Christian and clutched a Bible during his four-week trial, was met by the prison chaplain upon arrival and has reportedly prayed with him.