Disgraced media mogul Harvey Weinstein sentenced to 23 years in prison

Harvey Weinstein

Disgraced former TV and film producer Harvey Weinstein has been sentenced to 23 years in prison for rape and sexual assault.

The 67-year-old was found guilty at a trial in New York City last month and his sentencing was heard yesterday.

The defence appealed for leniency given Weinstein’s age and health, but the prosecution sought the maximum possible sentence, pointing to the number of allegations made against the former exec as well as his “lack of remorse” for his actions.

Judge James Burke sentenced Weinstein to 20 years in prison for criminal sexual assault and three years for rape. The sentences will run consecutively and Weinstein will face five years of supervision after release and register as a sex offender.

Upon sentencing, Burke said: “This is a first conviction, but it is not a first offence.”

Weinstein was co-founder of now defunct US film studio The Weinstein Company (TWC), which declared bankruptcy in 2018, with independent studio Lantern Entertainment acquiring the majority of its library and assets.

He was fired from TWC in 2017, after multiple allegations of sexual harassment surfaced.

Weinstein and brother Bob also founded the production and distribution house Miramax, which is now owned by the beIN Media Group.