Bill Cosby sentencing: Judge hands comedian 3 to 10 years prison time after ruling him 'sexually violent predator'

Actor's legal team argued in court in Pennsylvania he is too frail to face prison time

Bill Cosby: A timeline of sexual abuse allegations

Bill Cosby has been sentenced to three to 10 years in state prison for drugging and sexually assaulting Andrea Constand in 2004.

Judge Steven O'Neill has ruled that Cosby is a "sexually violent predator" which means the once-beloved TV comedian is being placed on the sex offender’s registry sent to neighbours, schools and victims. The distinction also requires Cosby to undergo a lifetime of counselling and to report quarterly to authorities.

In April, the 81-year-old actor was convicted on three counts of aggravated indecent assault against ex-basketball player Andrea Constand at his Philadelphia mansion in 2004.

On Monday, prosecutors asked a judge to give the comedian five to 10 years behind bars, while his lawyers asked for house arrest, saying the legally-blind actor was too frail to face jail.

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Key Points

• Psychologist tells court actor should be labelled 'sexually violent predator' with mental illness
• Star a victim of 'mob justice', says wife

[25 September 2018 19:58 · Kristin Hugo]

Timeline of Bill Cosby's sexual abuse allegations: 

[25 September 2018 20:03 · Kristin Hugo]

ABC correspondent and former federal prosecutor Sunny Hostin says it was clear to her Judge O'Neill looked at Bill Cosby as "he would look at any other defendant".

[25 September 2018 20:03 · Steve Anderson]

Prosecutors were not impressed with Cosby's legal team asking for bail, according to those in court.

 

[25 September 2018 20:12 · Kristin Hugo]

Judge O'Neill said it was "time for justice" during Bill Cosby sentencing. 

In addition to time in state prison, Cosby was fined $25,000 (£19,000).

[25 September 2018 20:18 · Steve Anderson]

Cosby removed his watch, tie and jacket and walked out of court in a white dress shirt and red suspenders, his hands cuffed in front of him.

[25 September 2018 20:37 · Kristin Hugo]

Video of Cosby leaving the courtroom in handcuffs.

[25 September 2018 20:53 · Kristin Hugo]

Prosecutor Kevin Steele when asked what it meant to see Bill Cosby in handcuffs during a press conference: 

“Look it’s not a cause for celebration and we take very seriously the taking of somebody’s liberty but I will not apologise for our job – our job is to separate the predators from the good people in our community and that happened today."

[25 September 2018 21:08 · Kristin Hugo]

Bill Cosby's spokesman Andrew Wyatt claims Cosby's conviction and sentencing is a reflection of the most "racist and sexist trial in the history of the United States".