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Harvey Weinstein to appeal against sexual assault conviction after being rushed to hospital


Harvey Weinstein managed to avoid jail time for now (Picture: REUTERS/Lucas Jackson)

Harvey Weinstein avoided immediate jail time for his sexual assault and rape conviction after being rushed to the hospital.

The disgraced producer was found guilty of a first-degree criminal sex act and a third-degree rape by a jury in New York City on Monday 24 February in the landmark trial that sparked the #MeToo movement.

The jury of seven men and five women found him not guilty on the most serious charge, predatory sexual assault, which could have resulted in a life sentence for the rapist.

After leaving the Criminal Courts Building in handcuffs, Weinstein complained of pains while sitting in the ambulance on the way to Rikers Island.

According to Deadline, the medic decided that the convicted sexual predator needed greater professional treatment at Bellevue Hospital in New York City.

He apparently had been suffering heart palpitations and high blood pressure, a source told the publication.

Harvey had been walking with a walker since his trial started (Picture: JNI/Star Max/GC Images)

Harvey had pleaded not guilty to sexually assaulting Mimi Haleyi in 2006 and raping aspiring actress Jessica Mann in 2013 and will appeal against the sexual assault convictions.

The 67-year-old’s defense team have said they will ‘absolutely be appealing’ the verdict in the hopes of getting it overturned, despite being found not guilty on the most serious charge of predatory sexual assault.

Weinstein’s lead attorney Donna Rotunno told The Hollywood Reporter: ‘Obviously, this is a bittersweet day. We are disappointed. We knew we came in and we were down 35-0 on the day that we started this trial.

‘The jurors came in knowing everything they could know about this case. We couldn’t find a juror who had never heard of Harvey Weinstein. [We will] absolutely be appealing [the verdict]. The fight is not over.’

Harvey was taken away in handcuffs (Picture: REUTERS/Jane Rosenberg)

Six women testified against Harvey during his trial including Annabella Sciorra, Miriam Haley, Tarale Wulff, Jessica Mann, Dawn Dunning, and Lauren Young.

A judge ordered Weinstein to be jailed immediately after his conviction. He’ll remain in custody until his 11 March sentencing.

He faces up to 29 years in prison.

In Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Joan Illuzzi’s closing statement, she branded him an ‘abusive rapist’ and a ‘predator’, saying: ‘When Harvey Weinstein met the witnesses, he looked quite different than he does today.

‘They were scared. They felt isolated and they were alone.’



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