As the allegations and court proceedings surrounding convicted rapist Russell Brand dominated headlines last week, his wife Laura remained a visibly loyal presence at his side.
Wearing sunglasses and holding Brand’s hand, she accompanied him to and from Southwark Crown Court throughout the trial. Inside Courtroom Three, she reportedly took detailed notes as six women gave harrowing accounts of rape and sexual assault.
Her presence appeared to send an unmistakable message: despite the allegations that had followed Brand for years, Laura intended to stand by her husband and hear the evidence for herself.
But none of the testimony persuaded her that he was guilty.
Now, as the disgraced former comedian and BBC Radio 2 presenter prepares to face a potentially lengthy prison sentence, people close to Laura’s family have expressed serious concern about her wellbeing.
They claim Laura was “totally brainwashed” by Brand and persuaded that he was innocent of the serious offences for which he has been convicted.
Family sources say it has been deeply troubling that Laura, the daughter of golfing great Bernard Gallacher and his wife Lesley, “simply didn’t believe much of what [Brand’s victims] said”.
She is understood to remain firmly behind Brand and is reportedly “determined” to support an appeal against his convictions.
Laura Gallacher leaves court after husband Russell Brand is found guilty
Friends say her position reflects a pattern that has developed during the couple’s nine-year marriage. They believe Brand, 51, who has three children with Laura, exerted a powerful influence over her and convinced her that he was incapable of wrongdoing.
They also say Brand, now a born-again Christian with 6.6 million subscribers—most of them in the United States—to his spiritual YouTube channel, played a central role in Laura’s embrace of religion.
Those close to the family are now relieved that Brand’s imprisonment may give Laura, 39, the opportunity to live independently of his influence. They hope the separation could eventually help her recognise the extent of his hold over her.
They also believe time may lead her to reconsider her view of his guilt.
One family friend said: “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 as though he has completely brainwashed her.
“But now she will be separated from him for what could be many years. That will change things, and it is a huge relief to the people who love Laura. This could be her opportunity, if she chooses to take it, to build a life with someone far, far kinder than Russell.”
Laura’s unwavering support was apparent to those watching the trial, increasing the anxiety of people close to her.
Arriving each day in a blacked-out people carrier, she appeared to grow increasingly angry as the women gave evidence. Sources claim she regarded their accounts as “lies”. The couple’s regular online programme, Sunday Service With The Brands, also reflects Laura’s devotion to Brand. The homespun Christian show features Bible readings, prayer and spiritual reflections, alongside discussions about marriage and family life.
In one episode uploaded two weeks ago, while the trial was under way, a fresh-faced Laura listens intently as Brand refers to the “very, very unusual time in our marriage”. She nods as he speaks about the importance of “true justice”.
The couple on their religious-themed Sunday morning podcast
Hi, I’m Alex Matthews, Editor of The Crime Desk.
Russell Brand has been found guilty of rape and three sexual assaults – and our reporters Caroline Cheetham and Liz Hull were in court every day to witness it all. They sat down with Detective Inspector Laura Nelson who revealed why the women who accused him in the infamous documentary were not involved in his rape trial.
Subscribe to The Crime Desk to listen to the podcast.
In the recording, Laura and Brand maintain eye contact as she describes putting on her “armour” before attending court in south London.
“I already get nervous driving around the corner,” she says. “As soon as you see the street name… on Battlebridge [Lane], you put on your armour. That’s how it feels. I immediately start thinking, this is it now, this is it. Get into shape, find your strength.”
In another video featuring Brand, Laura speaks about feeling uncomfortable when photographers focus on her, but says she senses “the presence of God” during such moments. She was also seen praying inside court.
Brand was found guilty on Thursday of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault involving four women between 2005 and 2009. Sources say Laura was “shocked and extremely upset” by the verdict and by having to leave court without him after he was remanded in custody.
She is reportedly drawing some reassurance from the fact that Brand was acquitted of two further rape charges and one count of attempted indecent assault.
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“Laura has been in shock ever since the jury convicted Russell,” a friend said.
“She believes he is innocent and sees the split verdict as proof. He was cleared of three of the seven charges, and Laura’s interpretation is that the jury did not believe half of the women.”
Sources say Laura is also angry that Brand was sent to HMP Wandsworth, preventing him from spending the weekend with her and their children. She reportedly believes he has been treated unfairly.
After Brand was imprisoned on Thursday night, Laura stayed at her parents’ home in Ascot, Berkshire. The following morning, she returned to the property she shared with Brand near Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, around 20 miles away.
Although the family has spent much of its time in Florida, Laura is expected to remain in Britain so she can stay close to Brand during his sentence.
Her relatives, including her older sister, former Sky Sports presenter Kirsty Gallacher, are said to be supporting Laura and the children: nine-year-old Mabel, seven-year-old Peggy and their three-year-old son, whose name has not been made public.
“Laura’s family are concentrating on her and the children, and on what happens next,” the source said.
There are also ongoing criminal investigations that could result in further charges. Brand faces allegations of rape involving two additional women, one of whom was 16 at the time. The claims are being investigated by the Metropolitan Police.
That prospect has increased the family’s desire to keep Laura close and, ideally, have her move nearer to them in Henley.
“It is quite possible Russell could face another trial, so Laura will want to support him through that,” the family friend said. “But it is far too early to know what the future holds.”
Ms Gallacher’s father, former golfer Bernard Gallacher, went to Brand’s trial to support his daughter
“Kirsty and Laura are very close, so it makes sense for Laura to be near her husband and her family while everyone waits to see what happens.”
The scandal has been “extremely difficult” for the entire Gallacher family. Bernard, who captained Europe’s Ryder Cup team three times, is said to be “heartbroken”, while the ordeal has also taken a heavy emotional toll on Lesley.
Kirsty, who had grown particularly close to Brand, is also said to have been shaken by his downfall.
She reportedly believed in his innocence and feels a sense of guilt because her professional connection to Brand—both had shared a management team—was what led Laura to meet him at a concert when she was 19.
Friends say Brand became a source of strength for Kirsty after her 2015 divorce from former England rugby player Paul Sampson, and again after her drink-driving conviction two years later.
“Kirsty has always been open about turning to Russell for advice,” a family friend said. “She regarded him as a sounding board during some very difficult periods, particularly after the drink-driving conviction.
“Russell was always available to advise her. In return, she supported him and believed he was innocent of the appalling crimes alleged against him.
“She adored Russell. He presented himself as the wise older figure in her life, and she often said how fortunate she was to know him. She was once proud to have introduced him to Laura; now she feels a degree of guilt.”
People who knew Laura before her relationship with Brand remember her as a cheerful, sociable woman with a playful sense of humour.
Laura and Brand briefly dated after Kirsty introduced them, before reconnecting in 2015 after an unexpected meeting on London’s Grand Union Canal. At the time, Brand had recently separated from his first wife, American pop star Katy Perry.
Laura became pregnant soon afterwards and left her restaurant career. She went on to write and illustrate children’s books and developed an online presence as a “mummy blogger”, sharing aspects of family life.
In April last year, shortly before Brand was charged, he announced that the family had relocated to a rented £1 million mansion in Florida as he continued building his American audience.
Friends believe Laura may continue presenting the couple’s YouTube programme without him. “It is the kind of thing Russell would want her to do,” one said.
Whether Laura will eventually change her view of Brand’s guilt is uncertain. Those close to her can only hope that his continued absence will give her the space to reassess the relationship.
“There is still a great deal that could happen,” the source said. “You cannot help wondering whether Laura’s life would have been far less painful if the two of them had never met.”