Harvey Weinstein begs for "mercy" after sentenced 16 years in prison

Former Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein has been sentenced to 16 years in prison. A Los Angeles court found him guilty of rape and two other sexual misconduct charges after a trial involving a woman known as Jane Doe One in December.

According to the victim, the incident happened after Weinstein unexpectedly showed up in her hotel room during a film festival in Los Angeles in 2013.

Before being sentenced, Weinstein begged judge Lisa Lench for "mercy" and said that he "didn‘t deserve" to spend his life behind bars. He further claimed that the allegations against him had been "set up".

"Your Honour ... I maintain that I am innocent," he told the packed-out court room. "I never raped or sexually assaulted Jane Doe One. I don't know that woman and she doesn't know me."

"This is a made-up story. With all due respect, Jane Doe One is an actress ... Jane Doe One can turn on the tears. Please don't sentence me to life in prison, I don't deserve it. I beg your mercy".

Credit: Timothy A. Clary

The 70-year-old disgraced producer was wheeled into court in a grey jail uniform and remained seated throughout his address. The court found Weinstein guilty after hearing how he used his influence to arrange private meetings with women, which he later attacked.

Since he was found guilty in California, his time in prison must be served separately from time served in New York, where Weinstein has already been sentenced to 23 years in 2020.