Bill Cosby arrives at the Montgomery County Courthouse for sentencing in his sexual assault trial

Bill Cosby has been sentenced to three to 10 years in state prison for drugging and sexually assaulting Andrea Constand in 2004.

Judge Steven O'Neill has ruled that Cosby is a "sexually violent predator" which means the once-beloved TV comedian is being placed on the sex offender’s registry sent to neighbours, schools and victims. The distinction also requires Cosby to undergo a lifetime of counselling and to report quarterly to authorities.

In April, the 81-year-old actor was convicted on three counts of aggravated indecent assault against ex-basketball player Andrea Constand at his Philadelphia mansion in 2004.

On Monday, prosecutors asked a judge to give the comedian five to 10 years behind bars, while his lawyers asked for house arrest, saying the legally-blind actor was too frail to face jail.

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