GHISLAINE MAXWELL has been sentences to 20 years in prison for helping disgraced Jeffrey Epstein sexually abuse teenage girls.
The sentence was handed down in the Manhattan federal court and means the 60-year-old will spend most of the rest of her life in prison.
Maxwell was convicted in December last year for luring girls to be molested by Epstein between 1994 and 2004.
She apologised to the victims and said she hopes the sentence will provide "peace and finality."
"To you, all the victims that came to today inside the court and outside...I am sorry for the pain you have experienced," Maxwell said.
"I hope my sentence...brings you closure...peace and finality. To help you put those experiences in a place that helps you move forward."
Four of Maxwell's victims, Annie Farmer, Sarah Ransome, Elizabeth Stein and the accuser known by the pseudonym "Kate" read victim impact statements to the court.
The legal team of also Virginia Giuffre released the full statement that was read on her behalf in court.
"Ghislaine, 22 years ago, in the summer of 2000, you spotted me at the Mar-a-Lago Hotel in Florida, and you made a choice. You chose to follow me and procure me for Jeffrey Epstein.
"Just hours later, you and he abused me together for the first time. Together, you damaged me physically, mentally, sexually, and emotionally.
"Together, you did unthinkable things that still have a corrosive impact on me to this day.
"I want to be clear about one thing: without question, Jeffrey Epstein was a terrible paedophile. But I never would have met Jeffrey Epstein if not for you.
"For me, and for so many others, you opened the door to hell."
Judge Nathan described Maxwell’s offending as “heinous and predatory” as she sentenced her to a term that exceeded her own maximum sentencing guideline of up to 19 years and eight months.
Maxwell has also been fined $750,000.
Maxwell will be 78 years old when she finishes the 20-year sentence after time served, followed by five years of supervised release. Her attorney requested that she serve her time at the BOP facility in Danbury, Connecticut, and stated the defence’s intent to appeal.
See More: Ghislaine Maxwell, Jeffrey Epstein
