JUST IN: Singer R. Kelly sentenced to 30 years in jail Photo: Facebook/AFP
JUST IN: Singer R. Kelly sentenced to 30 years in jail
News just in! R. Kelly has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for using his status to run a scheme to sexually abuse children and women.
JUST IN: Singer R. Kelly sentenced to 30 years in jail Photo: Facebook/AFP
The U.S singer R. Kelly has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for using his status to run a scheme to sexually abuse children and women.
JUST IN R.KELLY SENTENCED TO 30 YEARS BEHIND BARS
According to a report by BBC, the singer, whose real name is Robert Sylvester Kelly, was sentenced on Wednesday after he was convicted in September this year.
He was as also fined $100,000 (£82,525). R.Kelly currently faces separate criminal charges in three other cases.
He is known for hit songs like I Believe I Can Fly and Ignition.
ALSO READ: R. Kelly: ‘I believe I can fly’ artist faces sentencing over sex crimes case
THE SINGER IS KNOWN FOR HIT SONGS LIKE I BELIEVE I CAN FLY
It was found that he had used his celebrity status and sphere of influence to lure women and children into sexual abuse over two decades.
According to the report, the court also heard how R.Kelly had illegally obtained paperwork to marry singer Aaliyah when she was 15 in 1994, seven years before the singer died in a plane crash.
“The certificate, leaked at the time, listed Aaliyah’s age as 18. The marriage was annulled months later.”
BBC Report
The report furthermore stated that federal prosecutors had recommended that R.Kelly be sentenced to more than 25 years in prison, given the seriousness of his crimes and “the need to protect the public from further crimes”.
But his lawyers called for a sentence of 10 years – the mandatory minimum for his conviction – or less.
R.KELLY’S VICTIMS DELIVERED IMPACT STATEMENTS BEFORE HE WAS SENTENCED
Earlier on Wednesday, several of Kelly’s victims, including some who testified at his trial last year, are delivering impact statements before he is sentenced.
One of the victims, Angela, stood in court, looked directly at Kelly and called him a ‘Pied Piper’ who ‘lured children with his money and celebrity.’
“With every addition of a new victim, you grew in wickedness. You used your fame and power to groom and coach underage boys and girls for your own sexual gratification.
“Today, we reclaim our names. We are no longer the preyed-upon individuals we once were.
“I pray that God reaches your soul.”
Angela
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