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

The 67-year-old Weinstein was found guilty in New York court following a high-profile trial in February 2020.

The former studio mogul had been reduced to appearing in court with walking aids, and on Wednesday, March 11, showed up in a wheelchair and handcuffs.

Weinstein's lawyers had appealed for leniency, calling for a minimum sentence of five years, which they said was a "life sentence" for him.

But prosecutors argued Weinstein's "lifetime of abuse" towards women and "lack of remorse" for his actions deserved to be punished with the maximum possible sentence.

Weinstein addressed the court

Weinstein addressed the court for the first time on the day after his sentence was handed down.

"I really feel remorse for this situation," Weinstein said, in a barely audible voice.

"I feel it deeply in my heart. I will spend my time really caring and really trying to be a better person."

"I'm not going to say that these aren't great people," he also said of his accusers.

"I've had wonderful times with these people."

But he also described himself as "totally confused" by what happened, which was seen as being critical to the #MeToo movement.

His accusers cried together in the front row.

#MeToo movement

Dozens of women have come forward since October 2017 accusing Weinstein of sexual misconduct, including rape.

These were the first charges to make it to trial and Weinstein has consistently denied wrongdoing.

He was sentenced to 20 years in prison for first-degree criminal sex act and three years in prison for third-degree rape.

The sentences will run consecutively.

Both come with five years of supervision after release.

The charges were based on testimony by Miriam Haley and Jessica Mann, who both spoke at the sentencing.

"If Harvey Weinstein had not been convicted by this jury, it would have happened again and again and again," Haley told the court.

"I'm relieved he will now know he's not above the law. I'm relieved there are women out there who are safer because he's not out there."

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