US singer R. Kelly, whose real name is Robert Sylvester Kelly, has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for sexually abusing children and women.
At his sentencing today, US District Judge Ann Donnelly said the I Believe I Can Fly hitmaker used sex as a weapon, forcing his victims to do unspeakable things and saddling them with incurable diseases. She continued by saying that the sentence would deter R. Kelly from committing similar crimes again.
Evidence brought against him disclosed how he trafficked women between different US states with help from managers, security guards and others under his employment.
Also, R. Kelly illegally obtained paperwork to marry singer Aaliyah when she was 15 in 1994.
Although his lawyers argued that R. Kelly should receive a lesser sentence of 10 years or less, Federal prosecutors had recommended more than 25 years in prison, “given the seriousness of his crimes and the need to protect the public from further crimes”.
Source: Reuters
