Close X
Friday, November 29, 2024
ADVT 
Hollywood

US Court Declares Bill Cosby A 'Sexually Violent Predator'

Darpan News Desk IANS, 25 Sep, 2018 03:42 PM
  • US Court Declares Bill Cosby A 'Sexually Violent Predator'
Once dubbed "America's Dad", comedian Bill Cosby, 81, has been labelled a "sexually violent predator" by a US court, implying that he must undergo counselling for life and appear on the sex offenders' registry.
 
 
The Pennsylvania judge made the ruling ahead of sentencing the comedian for drugging and molesting a woman at his suburban Philadelphia home in 2004, reports bbc.com.
 
 
At a retrial in April, Cosby was found guilty of three counts of sexual assault against Andrea Constand. 
 
 
The classification by court means he will need to register with state police and notify any community he lives in of his sex offender status, as well as undergo mandatory counselling for life. Neighbours, childcare centres and schools will have be notified of his whereabouts.
 
 
The actor's defence team had argued the state's sex offender law was too severe given Cosby's age, as well as the fact that he is legally blind.
 
 
The two-day hearing at Montgomery County Courthouse in Pennsylvania began on Monday.
 
 
Psychologist Kristen Dudley testified on Monday that Cosby showed signs of a mental disorder and was likely to reoffend.
 
 
Apart from the label, Cosby still faces a maximum prison term of 10 years after an agreement between prosecutors and his defence team, but there is no mandatory minimum for the convictions.
 
 
Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele called for five to 10 years in jail for aggravated indecent assault.
 
 
Cosby's defence is pushing instead for house arrest, according to bbc.com.
 
 
In June 2017, Constand described how Cosby, whom she viewed as a "mentor", gave her pills that left her "frozen" and unable to stop his assault.
 
 
The comedian was arrested in 2015 and a deadlocked jury resulted in a mistrial in June 2017.
 
 
This year's retrial occurred amid the #MeToo movement that has seen people worldwide come forward to share stories of sexual harassment and assault.

MORE Hollywood ARTICLES

Canadian Showbiz To Have Code Of Conduct Over Sexual Harassment

Canadian Showbiz To Have Code Of Conduct Over Sexual Harassment
In the wake of the numerous ongoing sexual assault allegations in Hollywood, the Canadian film and TV industry has jointly decided to introduce a code of conduct to end sexual harassment on and away from movie and TV sets.

Canadian Showbiz To Have Code Of Conduct Over Sexual Harassment

Kapil Sharma An All Out Family Person: Monica Gill

Kapil Sharma An All Out Family Person: Monica Gill
Actress Monica Gill considers her "Firangi" co-star Kapil Sharma a "family person" as he would often chat with families of the film's team.

Kapil Sharma An All Out Family Person: Monica Gill

Me Too: Uma Thurman On Weinstein Scandal

Actress Uma Thurman has broken her silence on the issue of sexual assault allegations concerning Harvey Weinstein, hinting that she herself was a victim of the Hollywood producer.

Me Too: Uma Thurman On Weinstein Scandal

Miley Cyrus Isn't Pregnant, Just Ate Too Much

Miley Cyrus Isn't Pregnant, Just Ate Too Much
Miley Cyrus Is "Not" Pregnant And The Words Are Coming Straight From The Horse's Mouth.

Miley Cyrus Isn't Pregnant, Just Ate Too Much

Jennifer Lawrence 'Splits' From Darren Aronofsky

Actress Jennifer Lawrence has reportedly parted ways with filmmaker Darren Aronofsky after dating him for almost a year.

Jennifer Lawrence 'Splits' From Darren Aronofsky

Canadian Screen Stars Want 'Action' From Industry Meeting On Sexual Misconduct

Canadian Screen Stars Want 'Action' From Industry Meeting On Sexual Misconduct
TORONTO — Compared to Hollywood, Canada's screen industry is tiny. And by all accounts, there are fewer egos, bullies and power-trippers on the scale of Harvey Weinstein within it.

Canadian Screen Stars Want 'Action' From Industry Meeting On Sexual Misconduct