Yahoo News Bill Cosby sentenced to prison in assault trial
Note: The following article contains allegations of sexual misconduct that some readers may find distressing.
Bill Cosby has been formally sentenced in his sexual assault case.
A judge has ordered him to serve between three and ten years behind bars after being convicted of drugging and sexually assaulting Andrea Constand. Prosecutors had asked for him to face at least five to ten years in prison for the offences.
Earlier in the day, the judge ruled that Cosby was a "sexually violent predator", meaning that his name will now be added to a sexual offenders registry sent to neighbours, schools and victims of other crimes. He will also be required to attend counselling for the rest of his life.
Cosby was convicted on April 26 of three counts of indecent assault after 14 hours of jury deliberations, concluding a highly contentious second criminal trial for the stand-up comedian.
Previously, a jury in Norristown, Pennsylvania declared a mistrial after more than 50 hours of deliberation when they informed the judge that they were "deadlocked on all counts". Cosby has denied all charges.
Cosby was accused of drugging and raping one-time Temple University employee Andrea Constand in Pennsylvania at his home in January 2004.
[Janice Dickinson outside the courtroom on Tuesday]
During his second trial, Celebrity Big Brother and America's Next Top Model star Janice Dickinson was one of the prosecution witnesses who took the stand to allege that she had also been drugged and sexually assaulted by Cosby back in the 1980s.
Cosby has always denied Janice Dickinson's accusations, as well as sexual misconduct allegations from more than 60 women who have come forward since the autumn of 2014.
Rape Crisis England and Wales works towards the elimination of all forms of sexual violence and sexual misconduct. If you've been affected by the issues raised in this story, you can access more information on their website or by calling the National Rape Crisis Helpline on 0808 802 9999. Rape Crisis Scotland's helpline number is 08088 01 03 02.
Readers in the US are encouraged to contact RAINN, or the National Sexual Assault Hotline on 800-656-4673.
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