Disgraced RnB singer R.Kelly was sentenced to 30 years behind bars on Wednesday, following his conviction last year on charges of federal racketeering and sex trafficking stemming from his use of fame over the years to sexually abuse women.
Judge Ann Donnelly handed down the prison sentence in the Brooklyn federal court a year after the RnB singer was convicted by a New York jury. The sentence, which is more than what the prosecutor sought, caps a huge downfall for the 55-year-old former superstar.
Prosecutors had asked for Kelly to be sentenced to 25 years, while his defence attorney’s argued that he should get 10 years or less, saying the request by the prosecutor was “tantamount to a life sentence.”
In deciding on the sentence, Donnelly said she considered Robert Sylvester Kelly’s traumatic childhood, during which his attorney argued that he was repeatedly sexually abused by a landlord and a family member.
“You left in your wake a trail of broken lives. It may explain at least in part, what led to your behaviour. It most surely is not an excused,” the judge said.
Kelly has repeatedly denied the sexual abuse allegations which were levelled against him. In September, a jury in Brooklyn found the RnB star guilty on all nine charges he faced, which includes racketeering.
“His actions were brazen, manipulative, controlling and coercive. He has shown no remorse or respect for the law,” prosecutors wrote in their sentencing memo.
“A lengthy sentence of imprisonment will serve to deter others- including those with wealth, fame and outsized power such status brings- from engaging in similar crimes,” they added.
The former RnB star has been detained at the Metropolitan Detention Centre since he was convicted.