Disgraced Hollywood star Bill Cosby has received a three to ten year prison sentence for drugging and sexually assaulting a woman over a decade ago.

The 81-year-old, who was described as a "sexually violent predator" by the judge, will have to serve a minimum of three years in a state prison before becoming eligible for parole.

"This was a serious crime. It is time for justice. Mr Cosby, this has all circled back to you. The time has come," stated Judge Steven O'Neill yesterday when sentencing him. "No one is above the law, and no one should be treated differently."

Bill Cosby was was also fined $25,000 and ordered to pay prosecution costs. He will also appear on a sex-offender registry.

Over 60 women have come forward to make allegations him in recent years. Prior to this Bill Cosby, who was known as the American Dad, enjoyed a clean-cut image as a wholesome family man, having even penned best-sellers such as Fatherhood and Love and Marriage.

COSBY IN HANDCUFFS: Bill Cosby left the Montgomery County Correctional Facility where he was processed after being sentenced to 3 to 10 years behind bars. He is now being transported to SCI Phoenix state prison.
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In a five-page statement submitted to the court, the victim Andrea Constand told how she's had to endure years of anxiety and self-doubt since being raped by Bill Cosby, which she said has left her "in a holding pattern".

"When the sexual assault happened, I was a young woman brimming with confidence and looking forward to a future bright with possibilities," she stated.

"Now, almost 15 years later, I'm a middle-aged woman who's been stuck in a holding pattern for most of her adult life, unable to heal fully or to move forward."

After sentencing, Bill Cosby's spokesperson said: "Mr Cosby knows that God is watching over him. He knows that these are lies. They persecuted Jesus and look what happened."

The spokesperson added: "I'm not saying Mr Cosby is Jesus, but we know what this country has done to black men for centuries. So Mr Cosby is doing fine. He's holding up well and everybody who wants to say anything negative, you're a joke as well."