BILL COSBY has been sentenced to up to 10 years in prison following his conviction for sexual assault.
Following a two-day hearing at Montgomery County Courthouse in Pennsylvania, Judge Steven O’Neill sentenced Cosby to three to 10 years behind bars.
In April, the 81-year-old actor and comedian was found guilty of three counts of aggravated sexual assault for drugging and molesting Andrea Constand in 2004.
Cosby arrives at court on Tuesday (Image: Mark Makela / Getty Images)Before sentencing, the judge designated Cosby as a sexually violent predator, meaning he will need to register with state police and notify any community he lives in of his sex offender status, as well as undergo mandatory counselling for life.
Judge rules Bill Cosby is a Sexual Violent Predator. Court to resume at 1:30 for sentencing.
— Montgomery County DA (@MontcopaDA) September 25, 2018
Cosby’s defence team, who had argued that their client’s age and blindness meant he was not a threat, had been seeking house arrest.
Cosby was also denied bail pending an appeal.
Bill Cosby sentenced to 3 to 10 years in state prison.
— Montgomery County DA (@MontcopaDA) September 25, 2018
Around 60 women have made public accusations against Cosby, once dubbed ‘America’s Dad’ thanks to hit programmes such as like The Cosby Show.
However showing his famous past counted for nothing, Judge O’Neill said at today’s sentencing: “No one is above the law, and no one should be treated differently or disproportionally.”
Bill Cosby’s sentence also included $25,000 fine and cost of prosecution.
— Montgomery County DA (@MontcopaDA) September 25, 2018
