R Kelly found guilty of several charges in abuse trial

Several women took the stand during the five-week trial and told jurors the singer had abused them when they were minors

Jovante Cunningham, one of Kelly's accusers, pauses after speaking outside the federal court. AP

A supporter of R Kelly cries outside the federal court in Brooklyn, New York, on Wednesday after the R&B star was sentenced to 30 years in a federal sex case. AP

Lawyer Gloria Allred speaks alongside Ms Cunningham outside the federal court. AP

Kelly's lawyer Jennifer Bonjean speaks after her client was sentenced to 30 years in jail. AP

Ms Allred walks out of federal court alongside another Kelly victim, Lizzette Martinez. AP

Crowds gather for Kelly's sentencing at the Brooklyn Federal Courthouse in New York. Reuters

Ms Cunningham embraces a supporter. EPA

Ms Cunningham speaks after Kelly's sentencing. EPA

Ms Allred walks with Ms Martinez after the sentencing. EPA

Ms Martinez and Ms Cunningham outside the courthouse on Wednesday. EPA

R&B singer R Kelly was found guilty on Wednesday on charges of luring underage girls to have sex with him but not guilty of obstructing a 2008 state case that ended with his acquittal, according to media reports.

In his latest trial, Kelly — whose full name is Robert Sylvester Kelly — was found guilty on six out of 13 counts in the federal trial, CBS Chicago reported.

A jury in US District Court in Chicago convicted the 55-year-old multiplatinum musical artist of several counts of sexual exploitation of a child, enticement and possession of material containing child pornography.

Kelly is among the most prominent people to be convicted of sexual misbehaviour during the #MeToo movement against sexual harassment and abuse in recent years.

During the five-week trial, several women took the stand and told jurors that Kelly had sexually abused them when they were minors.

The jury also saw a video of Kelly molesting his goddaughter, who gave evidence that the abuse began in the 1990s when she was a teenager.

Disgraced R&B singer R Kelly is serving a 30-year sentence for sex offenses. AFP

Kelly and both men accused alongside him — Milton “June” Brown and Derrel McDavid — were acquitted on charges that they had conspired to receive child pornography. Kelly and McDavid were also acquitted on charges they conspired to obstruct justice in Kelly’s 2002 Cook County case, The Chicago Tribune reported.

The men were accused of trying to bribe and threaten witnesses in the 2008 Illinois case in which Kelly was found not guilty on 14 counts of child pornography.

In June, Kelly was sentenced to 30 years in prison on his conviction in a New York federal court on racketeering and prostitution charges.

That trial amplified accusations that had dogged the singer of the Grammy-winning hit I Believe I Can Fly for two decades.

Kelly also faces various state charges in Illinois and Minnesota.

Ghislaine Maxwell sentenced to 20 years in prison for sex trafficking

Trial evidence shows British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell and US financier Jeffrey Epstein. US District Court for the Southern District of New York / AFP

Maxwell and Epstein have been found guilty of sex charges related to underage girls. US District Court for the Southern District of New York / AFP

Britain's Prince Andrew, Virginia Giuffre and Ghislaine Maxwell at one of Epstein's properties. Maxwell used her "femininity to betray us" like she was "a wolf in sheep's clothing", one of Epstein's victims said before Maxwell's sentencing in New York.

Epstein and Maxwell, who groomed and procured underaged girls for him. US District Court for the Southern District of New York / AFP

Epstein, Maxwell and French model agent Jean-Luc Brunel on the financier's private jet, the 'Lolita Express'. Brunel died in prison in February while awaiting charges including raping minors. Photo: Shutterstock

Judge Alison Nathan and Ghislaine Maxwell in a courtroom sketch. Reuters

Maxwell with Epstein.

Maxwell gives Epstein a foot massage.

In a courtroom sketch, FBI analyst Kimberly Meder testifies during Ghislaine Maxwell's sex-abuse trial about a photo, shown on video, of Maxwell massaging Epstein's foot at his home. AP

This photo of Maxwell and Epstein was entered into evidence by the US Attorney's Office. Photo: US Attorney's Office / Reuters

US Department of Justice evidence.

Maxwell with Epstein.

British socialite Maxwell was convicted of helping Epstein sexually abuse teenage girls.

Maxwell and Epstein. US District Court for the Southern District of New York / AFP

Another trial evidence image of Maxwell and Epstein. US District Court for the Southern District of New York / AFP

Another evidence photo of Maxwell and Epstein. Reuters

Maxwell reportedly dated Epstein and then became a recruiter of young girls for him.

A photo of Maxwell living the high life entered into evidence by the US Attorney's Office.

A photo issued by US Department of Justice shows the interior of one of Epstein's private planes.

Epstein's third private plane.

An aerial view of Epstein's private island in the US Virgin Islands.

An advertisement for a massage therapist shown to the court during Maxwell's trial.

A photo issued by US Department of Justice shows the massage room at Epstein's New York house.

Another image of the massage room entered into evidence.

Maxwell once tried for a career dealing with climate change. Getty / AFP

Maxwell attends the 2014 Education through Music Children's Benefit Gala at Capitale in New York. The charity was started by Epstein. Getty / AFP

Epstein's mugshot. He committed suicide in his cell in 2019. Photo: New York State Sex Offender Registry / AFP

A headline from 'The Times' in a London store on December 30, 2021, the morning after a jury in New York found Maxwell guilty of recruiting and grooming young girls to be sexually abused by Epstein. AFP

A selection of headlines from British newspapers. AFP

Kevin Maxwell, Isabel Maxwell and Christine Maxwell, brother and sisters of Ghislaine, walk outside the courtroom after she was found guilty. Reuters

Maxwell's lawyer, Christian Everdell, leaves the US Federal District Court after she was found guilty. EPA

Laura Menninger and Jeffrey Pagliuca, members of Maxwell's legal team, after her guilty verdict. EPA

Maxwell's lead lawyer Bobbi Sternheim leaves the US Federal District Court after her client was found guilty on five of six sex-trafficking charges. EPA

A protester outside court when Maxwell made her first appearance in July 2020. AFP

A protester outside Maxwell's trial. Getty / AFP

A protester holds a placard during a rally in New York City for Epstein survivors. Reuters

Demonstrators rally in solidarity with the Epstein and Maxwell survivors in New York City. AFP

Sarah Ransome testified against Maxwell. AP