This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-45644374

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Bill Cosby sentenced to state prison for sexual assault Bill Cosby sentenced to state prison for sexual assault
(about 1 hour later)
Comedian Bill Cosby has been sentenced to three to 10 years in state prison for sexual assault. A judge in Pennsylvania has jailed comedian Bill Cosby for three to 10 years for sexual assault.
Cosby, 81, has also been categorised as a sexually violent predator, meaning he must undergo counselling for life and be listed on the sex offender registry. Cosby, 81, was also categorised as a sexually violent predator, meaning he must undergo counselling for life and be listed on the sex offender registry.
The actor declined to make a statement when a judge gave him the opportunity. The actor declined to make a statement when offered the opportunity.
At a retrial in April, Cosby was found guilty of three counts of sexual assault for drugging and molesting Andrea Constand in 2004.At a retrial in April, Cosby was found guilty of three counts of sexual assault for drugging and molesting Andrea Constand in 2004.
Judge Steven O'Neill has also denied Cosby's request for bail pending appeal. Cosby's request for bail pending appeal was denied.
After delivering the sentence, Judge O'Neill said: "Mr Cosby you took her beautiful healthy young spirit and crushed it." The comedian became a household name in 1980s America when he starred in the Cosby Show TV sitcom, playing the father in a well-to-do African-American family living in Brooklyn, New York.
He told Ms Constand he "heard the very clear impact" the assault had on her life. Such was his popularity that he was dubbed "America's Dad".
Ahead of the sentence, the judge designated Cosby a sexually violent predator, despite the defence's argument that Cosby's age and blindness mean he is not a threat. What did the judge say?
"This was a serious crime," Judge Steven O'Neill was quoted as saying by CNN after pronouncing the sentence in the Montgomery County Courthouse in Norristown.
"Mr Cosby, this has all circled back to you. The day has come, the time has come."
He told Ms Constand that he had "heard the very clear impact" the assault had on her life.
How did Ms Constand describe the effect the assault had had on her?
In June 2017, the former Temple University administrator described how Cosby, whom she had viewed as a "mentor", had given her pills that left her "frozen" and unable to stop his assault.
In her impact statement, as carried by the National Post, she said: "To truly understand the impact that the sexual assault has had on my life, you have to understand the person that I was before it happened."
"I was at the top of my game, certain that the groundwork provided by my education and athletic training would stand me in good stead whatever challenges lay ahead..." she said.
"After the assault, I wasn't sure what had actually happened but the pain spoke volumes. The shame was overwhelming. Self-doubt and confusion kept me from turning to my family or friends as I normally did. I felt completely alone, unable to trust anyone, including myself."
She wrote that she had stopped eating, sleeping and socialising. Tormented by nightmares, she finally told her mother the truth about what had happened.
"Bill Cosby took my beautiful, healthy young spirit and crushed it," she said. "He robbed me of my health and vitality, my open nature, and my trust in myself and others."
"Instead of looking back, I am looking forward to looking forward," she added. "I want to get to the place where the person I was meant to be gets a second chance."
What will happen to her abuser?
The three counts on which Cosby was convicted were merged into one after an agreement between the defence and prosecutors, AFP News agency reports.
Psychologist Kristen Dudley testified that Cosby showed signs of a mental disorder and was likely to reoffend.
Ahead of the sentence, the judge designated him a sexually violent predator, despite the defence's argument that Cosby's age and blindness meant he was not a threat.
Tuesday's classification means 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.Tuesday's classification means 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.
Neighbours, childcare centres and schools will have be notified of the whereabouts of the entertainer once known as America's Dad. Neighbours, childcare centres and schools will have to be notified of his whereabouts.
The actor's defence team had argued the state's sex offender law was too severe given Cosby's age and the fact that he is legally blind. Cosby's wife, Camille, did not attend the sentencing.
The disgraced comedian's two-day hearing at Montgomery County Courthouse in Pennsylvania began on Monday with legal debate over the violent predator label. Are there other accusers?
Psychologist Kristen Dudley testified on Monday that Cosby showed signs of a mental disorder and was likely to reoffend. Some 60 other women have accused Cosby of sexual misconduct but charges have not been brought because of the statute of limitations.
In addition to the label, Cosby still faces a maximum prison term of 10 years after an agreement between prosecutors and his defence team, but there is no mandatory minimum for the convictions. However, Cosby does face defamation lawsuits for branding his accusers liars.
The Montgomery County District Attorney, Kevin Steele, called for five to 10 years in jail for aggravated indecent assault. "We may never know the full extent of his double life as a sexual predator but his decades-long reign of terror as a serial rapist is over," Ms Constand wrote.
Cosby's defence is pushing instead for house arrest.
In June 2017, Ms Constand described how Cosby, whom she viewed as a "mentor", gave her pills that left her "frozen" and unable to stop his assault.
In Ms Constand's impact statement, provided to reporters by the prosecution team on Tuesday, she said: "To truly understand the impact that the sexual assault has had on my life, you have to understand the person that I was before it happened."
Ms Constand wrote that she stopped eating, sleeping and socialising in the wake of the assault. She said she had been a "young woman brimming with confidence" before Cosby took that from her.
"Bill Cosby took my beautiful, healthy young spirit and crushed it. He robbed me of my health and vitality, my open nature, and my trust in myself and others."
Lili Bernard and former model Janice Dickinson - both Cosby accusers present at the hearing - tweeted on Tuesday: "May justice be served! #MeToo".Lili Bernard and former model Janice Dickinson - both Cosby accusers present at the hearing - tweeted on Tuesday: "May justice be served! #MeToo".
Cosby's wife, Camille, has not been present at the sentencing.
The comedian was arrested in 2015 and a deadlocked jury resulted in a mistrial in June 2017.The comedian was arrested in 2015 and a deadlocked jury resulted in a mistrial in June 2017.
This year's retrial occurred amid the #MeToo movement that has seen people worldwide come forward to share stories of sexual harassment and assault.This year's retrial occurred amid the #MeToo movement that has seen people worldwide come forward to share stories of sexual harassment and assault.