Russell Brand transferred his six-bedroom riverside mansion in Oxfordshire to his wife Laura for free in an apparent move to protect his personal fortune from civil claims brought by his victims.
Official Land Registry documents show the historic property, known as Thatched Cottage in Hambleden near Henley-on-Thames, was transferred to Laura Kate Brand on September 15 for zero financial exchange. The transaction occurred shortly before Brand stood trial at Southwark Crown Court, where he was subsequently convicted of rape and sexual assault and sentenced to ten and a half years in prison.
- Land Registry paperwork reveals Thatched Cottage was valued at a knockdown £3.8 million in the transfer documents, despite previous estimates suggesting its worth had nearly doubled from the £3.3 million Brand paid in 2016 following £1 million in renovations.
- The property transfer was lodged by City solicitors Druces LLP as a “Transfer (not for value or reverse premium)” with no mortgage or outstanding charges on the building.
- Legal experts note that under section 423 of the Insolvency Act 1986, UK courts retain the power to reverse gifts if evidence proves an attempt to place assets beyond the reach of potential claimants.
The property handover appears designed to head off civil claims from accusers on both sides of the Atlantic that threaten to wipe out the jailed entertainer’s personal wealth. A woman has already launched High Court proceedings seeking £100,000 in damages, alleging Brand assaulted her at his Los Angeles home in 2008. Brand denies her claims, describing them as fundamentally dishonest.
Brand also faces a civil claim in New York scheduled for March, brought by a woman alleging sexual assault on the set of the film Arthur. He denies those allegations as well. Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Police are investigating two further allegations of rape against the star, who has reportedly already spent £1 million on defense lawyers.
On December 31 of last year, Brand initiated plans to wind down his main company, Pablo Diablo’s Legitimate Business Firm Limited, which he co-owned with his wife. The couple and their three children now live in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, though Laura testified during his trial, describing him as a caring husband while acknowledging his past sex addiction.
Following Brand’s incarceration at HMP Littlehey, Laura read a message from her husband during an episode of their weekly YouTube podcast, Sunday Service.
Reading from a notebook, she shared his words to supporters: “Russell has asked me to read something to you. Beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, God bless you for your support. As you know, I am not guilty for the offences I have been jailed for, so something strange is happening.”
