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 18:56 · Kristin Hugo]

CBS Philadelphia reporter Joe Holden says Judge Steven O'Neill says Bill Cosby will face "total confinement". Length of sentence still to be determined.

[25 September 2018 19:05 · Kristin Hugo]

Actress-comedian Rose O'Donnell tweeted her support for Andrea Constand. 

[25 September 2018 19:14 · Kristin Hugo]

Judge Steven O'Neill has sentenced Bill Cosby to three to 10 years according to multiple reports

[25 September 2018 19:15 · Kristin Hugo]

Bill Cosby sentenced to three to 10 years in state prison for 2004 sexual assault of Andrea Constand.

[25 September 2018 19:21 · Kristin Hugo]

Judge Steven O'Neill will reportedly not grant bail pending appeal. 

This means Bill Cosby is expected to be taken away to a cell shortly. 

[25 September 2018 19:22 · Kristin Hugo]

Judge O'Neill:

"...if you want to take it up with another court, you can".

[25 September 2018 19:32 · Kristin Hugo]

"I'm not permitted to treat him any differently based on who he is or who he was," said Judge Steven O'Neill according to NPR reporter Bobby Allyn.

[25 September 2018 19:37 · Kristin Hugo]

Prosecutor Kevin Steele asks: "What sexually violent predator gets bail" after Cosby lawyer requests he remain free on a bond, CBS reports.

[25 September 2018 19:43 · Kristin Hugo]

Other women who had accused Bill Cosby of sexual assault were present in the courthouse to witness the sentencing.

[25 September 2018 19:53 · Kristin Hugo]

"I have given great weight to the victim impact testimony in this case, and it was powerful," Judge O'Neill said in court.