Trump Jr. challenges Brand conviction and sentence

Donald Trump Jr. publicly challenged Russell Brand’s conviction and 10-year, six-month prison sentence, alleging that the comedian was prosecuted because of his Christian faith and conservative politics. Trump Jr. also questioned the evidence presented at trial and the length of the sentence, but the political-motivation allegation is not independently established in the reported material.

A jury at Southwark Crown Court convicted Brand on November 5 of one rape and three sexual assaults involving four women. Judge Joel Bennathan sentenced him on November 9. The offences for which Brand was convicted took place between 2004 and 2009, according to the reports.

On his Rumble show, Triggered, Trump Jr. said Brand had been convicted without forensic evidence, DNA or a police report made at the time. He questioned why allegations had not been raised earlier and argued that Brand’s sentence was more severe than punishments given in other cases in Britain. Those were Trump Jr.’s characterisations of the case and sentencing.

The Metropolitan Police said its investigation was thorough and impartial and was not influenced by Brand’s celebrity. Investigators said the passage of time meant...