Harvey Weinstein will spend 23 years in prison for his sex crimes, a judge has ruled.
A jury found the disgraced film producer, 67, guilty of criminal sexual act in the first degree and rape in the third degree last month. His sentencing was announced on Wednesday, marking the conclusion of the landmark #MeToo trial.
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Today's sentencing took place in Manhattan Court in New York, where Judge James Burke, who has been residing over the trial, told the court: "Rape is not just one moment. It is forever."
Weinstein's accusers Annabella Sciorra, Miriam Haley, Jessica Mann, Lauren Young, Dawn Dunning and Tarale Wulff sat in the front row to hear the verdict.
As part of the sentencing, Burke heard Weinstein's victims speak about how their terrifying ordeals have impacted their lives since.
Among them was former aspiring actress Jessica Mann, 34, who alleged that Weinstein raped her twice and sexually assaulted her in 2013, and Miriam Haley, a former production assistant, who said Weinstein forcibly performed oral sex on her in 2006.
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"The day my uncontrollable screams were heard in the courtroom was the day my full voice went back into my power," Mann told the court. "Those were the screams that wanted to come out when Harvey Weinstein raped me. I have found my voice and hope for a future where monsters no longer hide in our closet."
Former production assistant Miriam Haleyi told Judge James Burke: "He violated my trust, my body, and my basic right to reject my sexual advances. When he attacked me that evening, it scarred me emotionally and physically.
"It diminished my confidence and faith in people and my confidence and faith in myself."
Weinstein was allowed the chance to speak prior to his sentencing and reportedly spoke for more than 10 minutes.
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According to Manhattan courts reporter Molly Crane-Newman, he said "America is in 'crisis', mentioned something about communism, 9/11 and Superstorm Sandy."
He reportedly said of Miriam Haley, "I got her a job," before adding: "I can't stop looking at Jessica [Mann] and Mimi [Haley] and hoping something maybe from our old friendship could emerge."
Criminal sexual act charges generally carry a possible five to 25 years sentence, and third degree rape carries a possible four years in prison.
The former movie titan - who was at the centre of watershed scandal which sparked the #MeToo movement in 2018 - received the verdict in New York on 27th February.
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The jury, made up of seven men and five women, took five days to reach their verdict at the supreme court in Manhattan.
Weinstein was facing a possible five charges of rape and sexual assault, including rape in the first and third degree, one count of criminal sexual act in the first degree, and two counts of predatory sexual assault.
The former producer was acquitted of the two most serious charges against him of predatory sexual assault, which carried a possible life sentence.
The verdict is the result of a six-week trail in which the jury had to hear the blistering testimonies of six women.
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These included that of Jessica Mann, 34, a former aspiring actress who alleged Weinstein raped her in her hotel room in March 2013, and later sexually assaulted and raped her again on two separate occasions.
Another was that of Miriam Haley, a former production assistant, who said Weinstein forcibly performed oral sex on her in 2006.
Actor Annabella Sciorra, who claimed Weinstein raped her in the 1990s, along with the testimony of Dawn Dunning, Lauren Marie Young, and Tarale Wulff, who all claimed Weinstein sexually assaulted them, were called upon by prosecutors.
The jury convicted the producer of rape in the third degree in relation to Mann's rape allegation, and of criminal sexual act in the first degree for forcibly performing oral sex on Haley.
Featured Image Credit: PA