DISGRACED HOLLYWOOD PRODUCER Harvey Weinstein has been sentenced to 16 years in prison for rape and sexual assault at a Los Angeles court.

The movie mogul was found guilty of rape and two other sexual misconduct charges involving a woman known as Jane Doe One, after a trial in December.

In a victim impact statement, read out to the court, Jane Doe One said Weinstein’s “selfish and disgusting” actions had “broken me into a million pieces”.

Thanking Judge Lisa Lench for letting her speak, the woman said: “I have been carrying this weight for 12 months.

“Before that night I was a very happy and confident woman. I valued myself and the relationship I had with God. I was excited about my future.

“Everything changed after the defendant brutally assaulted me.

“I became invisible to myself and to the world … I lost my identity.

“It has broken me into a million pieces … there is no prison sentence long enough to undo the damage.”

Weinstein, who appeared in person at court today for the verdict, maintained that the allegations against him were “a set-up” as it was read out.

“Your Honour … I maintain that I am innocent,” he told the packed courtroom.

“I never raped or sexually assaulted Jane Doe One. I don’t know that woman and she doesn’t know me.”

Weinstein is currently serving a 23-year sentence after his conviction by a New York court in 2020, which is currently under appeal. He faces further charges in London.

He continued: “This is a made-up story. With all due respect, Jane Doe One is an actress … Jane Doe One can turn on the tears.

“Please don’t sentence me to life in prison, I don’t deserve it. I beg your mercy.”

Jane Doe One asked the judge to pass down a strict sentence on Weinstein to restore faith in the justice system to other victims and survivors of abuse.

“Your Honour, my life matters. I matter,” she said, becoming visibly and audibly emotional during her statement.

Jane Doe One continued to cry openly while Weinstein gave his own remarks and the judge passed sentence.

During the two-month trial, which began in October last year, the court heard how Weinstein had used his influence to organise private meetings with women, where he attacked them.

He previously pleaded not guilty to 11 counts of rape and sexual assault involving a total of five women in Los Angeles.

After the December trial, the jury was unable to reach a decision on several counts, notably on charges involving Jennifer Siebel Newsom, the wife of California governor Gavin Newsom.

The jury was also unable to reach verdicts on the allegations of another woman. A mistrial was declared on those counts.

Weinstein was acquitted of a sexual battery allegation made by another woman.

The sentencing today was delayed from 9 January, to allow for a motion for a retrial to be put forward by Weinstein’s lawyers.

Judge Lench dismissed the motion, following arguments by his lawyer Alan Jackson, shortly before handing down the sentence, saying: “I respect your position Mr Jackson, but I just disagree with it.”

In his remarks before sentencing, Weinstein said he would have needed a “time machine” to have done the things alleged by the prosecution.

“I tried all my life to bring happiness to people. I’m not here to make people angry, I’m here to make people happy,” he said.

“This is a set-up.”