The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities, Fine Art & UnNatural History has removed an item featuring Russell Brand’s pubic hair from its public exhibition.
Collector Viktor Wynd confirmed the removal following the comedian’s recent conviction and sentencing for rape and sexual assault, Variety reported.
“I took them straight off display and have no desire to hear his name again – he has no place in my museum of horrors,” Wynd told Variety on Wednesday.
The artifact had been a fixture in the Hackney-based museum for more than a decade. According to a 2016 account of the collection, the hair was donated by a woman who claimed to have shaved Brand at a Camden Town salon. The donation included a handwritten letter detailing the souvenir, though the museum never independently verified the hair’s authenticity.
Sentencing at Southwark Crown Court
The removal follows Brand’s sentencing on Monday, Nov. 9, at London’s Southwark Crown Court. The 51-year-old was sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison after a jury found him guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault. The offenses involved four women and occurred between 2004 and 2009.
During the trial, one victim testified that the 2009 anal rape was “something I carry with me every day and it often feels never-ending,” noting that she initially felt powerless due to his fame and influence. Defense counsel Ian Winter KC characterized the same incident as a “short and momentary failure” where “he did not respect her consent.”
Judge Joel Bennathan described Brand as a predator who believed “fame meant you could act how you liked, when you liked,” according to CBC. During sentencing, the judge noted that Brand’s conduct in court caused additional suffering to the victims.
I am going to describe some painful and personal things in relation to Russell Brand because I have been put in a position now where I feel that I have no choice other than to do so, given the misleading reports and speculation around the facts of a harassment injunction that was…
Ongoing police investigations
Detectives are currently assessing further criminal allegations against Brand reported during and after the conclusion of his trial, according to the Metropolitan Police. The force stated that several people have contacted the investigation team to provide information or report potential criminal conduct, as reported by The Guardian and CTV News. Police are currently investigating two separate rape allegations, including one involving a girl who was 16 at the time.
Former girlfriend Jemima Goldsmith wrote on X on Monday that she had contacted police about Brand regarding a 2014 altercation at her home. She stated she did not press charges at the time but expressed relief that Brand had “finally faced justice,” CTV News reported.
Public reaction and past conduct
Following the verdict, UK government minister Lucy Powell stated she was shocked by the courtroom treatment of accusers, adding, “Lots of people, from Hollywood to the BBC to many others, gave this person a very, very powerful platform.” Australian pop star Dannii Minogue also criticized Brand, labeling him a “vile predator” and detailing a 2006 appearance on his MTV show “1 Leicester Square.” Minogue claimed Brand “kept making shocking remarks that I can’t even repeat,” commented on her “fabulous breasts,” and pestered her for her phone number, stating, “He wouldn’t take no for an answer.”
Frequently asked questions
How much of his sentence will Brand serve in custody? Judge Bennathan stated that Brand will be required to serve two-thirds of his 10-and-a-half-year sentence in custody before becoming eligible for release on license with strict conditions.
Did Brand testify during his trial? Yes, Brand denied all charges during the trial. He admitted to being preoccupied with sex during the years in question but insisted that all sexual encounters were consensual, CBC reported.
Keep reading