TORONTO - A man at the heart of the Maple Leaf Gardens sex abuse scandal has been sentenced to six and a half years in prison after pleading guilty to 100 charges for the crimes he committed against 18 young boys decades ago.

Gordon Stuckless will serve only six years after being given credit for the three years he spent under house arrest.

Some of Stuckless's victims and their supporters shouted at him as he was led out of the courtroom in handcuffs.

His lawyer, Ari Goldkind, has argued Stuckless should face a five-year sentence, with two years of credit for time spent on house arrest and steps taken to prevent recidivism -- namely the fact that he has voluntarily undergone chemical castration for more than a decade.

The Crown, however, had called for a 12-year sentence, saying Stuckless has not shown genuine remorse for his actions and cannot be legally compelled to continue taking anti-libido medication.

Stuckless apologized in court earlier this year, saying he betrayed his young victims' trust and he alone should bear that shame.