Harvey Weinstein sentenced to 23 years jail time in rape trial

Last month, Harvey Weinstein was found guilty of rape and sexual assault in a trial that took place in New York City.

On Wednesday, Weinstein's lawyers appealed for leniency as the 67 year old arrived at his sentencing hearing in a wheelchair and handcuffs. They said even five years (the minimum sentence for his crimes) could be a "life sentence".

Prosecutors, however, argued that Weinstein should be slapped with the maximum possible sentence, due to his "lifetime of abuse" toward women and complete "lack of remorse".

Since 2017, dozens of women have come forward with allegations against Weinstein, including several instances of sexual misconduct and rape.

These were the first charges to make trial, even though Weinstein has denied any wrongdoing from the very beginning. He still faces charges for rape and sexual assault, this time in Los Angeles.

All six women who testified against Weinstein last month sat together as the sentencing was read. Manhattan district attorney Cyrus Vance Jr praised the court and Justice James Burke for the tough sentencing – 20 years in prison for a first-degree criminal sex act and 3 years in prison for third-degree rape – saying, "Harvey Weinstein deployed nothing less than an army of spies to keep them silent. But they refused to be silent, and they were heard," of the women who testified. "Their words took down a predator and put him behind bars, and gave hope to survivors of sexual violence all across the world."

Weinstein's tone-deaf comments in court specifically mention Jessica Mann: "I really, really was under that impression that I had that kind of relationship, five years with Jessica," he said, hammering home that the disgraced producer is completely unrepentant.

The charges were based on two testimonies, one from Miriam Haley and another from Jessica Mann. Of the sentencing, Haley said: "If Harvey Weinstein had not been convicted by this jury, it would have happened again and again and again," Haley told the court. "I'm relieved he will now know he's not above the law. I'm relieved there are women out there who are safer because he's not out there."