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 17:50 · Kristin Hugo]

Court is on break. 

Judge Steven O'Neill has gone to his chambers to weigh the punishment for Bill Cosby.

[25 September 2018 17:51 · Kristin Hugo]

Watch our livestream on our Facebook page inside the Pennsylvania courthouse where Bill Cosby will be sentenced for sexual assault:

https://www.facebook.com/pg/TheIndependentOnline/videos/?ref=page_internal

[25 September 2018 18:05 · Kristin Hugo]

Bill Cosby did not address the court during his sentence hearing. 

Judge Steven O'Neill asked Cosby to be sure he understood that decision – Cosby answered "Yes", CNN reports

[25 September 2018 18:20 · Kristin Hugo]

Commonwealth attorney Stewart Ryan asked Bill Cosby in court (prior to break) a series of questions to ensure he understood the requirements relating to his "sexually violent predator" classification, like mandatory registration and reporting to the police, CNN reports.

[25 September 2018 18:24 · Kristin Hugo]

"If I went from a city to another city, do I have to - even if it's just overnight - I have to get in touch with the state police," Bill Cosby asked Commonwealth attorney Stewart Ryan in court on Tuesday according to CNN.

[25 September 2018 18:30 · Kristin Hugo]

Pennsylvania state sentencing guidelines indicate 22 to 36 months, plus or minus 12 months because of aggravating or mitigating circumstances.

[25 September 2018 18:35 · Kristin Hugo]

Remember, prosecutors are asking for five to 10 years in prison.

Bill Cosby's lawyer had asked for house arrest.

[25 September 2018 18:40 · Kristin Hugo]

"The judge is going to get less flak if they see Bill Cosby walk out in cuffs," said Daniel Filler, dean of Drexel University's Kline School of Law, in an interview on Monday.

[25 September 2018 18:50 · Kristin Hugo]

The court released Andrea Constand's full victim impact statement in which she wrote: 

"Bill Cosby took my beautiful, healthy young spirit and crushed it".

[25 September 2018 18:55 · Kristin Hugo]

A portion of Andrea Constand's victim impact statement read:

"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..."