American singer, R. Kelly, has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for sexually abusing children and women.
Judge Ann M. Donnelly delivered Kelly’s sentence in Brooklyn Federal Court on Wednesday, despite the defense lawyers’ request for a sentence of 10 years or less.
The judge said the celebrity used sex as a weapon, forcing his victims to do unspeakable things and saddling them with incurable diseases.
The court heard how Kelly – known for hit songs like I Believe I Can Fly and Ignition – used his celebrity status and influence to lure women and children into sexual abuse over two decades.
In September 2021, the singer was convicted on sex trafficking and racketeering charges following a nearly six-week trial.
Kelly has been in custody since he was indicted by federal prosecutors in New York and Chicago in July 2019.
He is also due to face sex abuse charges in courts in Illinois and Minnesota.
Source: BBC