R Kelly called ‘pied piper of R&B’ who ‘destroyed many lives’ as victims face him in court

Victims of R Kelly stood in court today to speak about the abuse they suffered at the singer's hands, and the affect it had on their lives, in emotional impact statements

R Kelly's victims stood to deliver powerful and heart-wrenching speeches in court before their abuser was handed 30 years in prison for sexually abusing women, boys and girls for decades.

The disgraced singer, 55, appeared in the dock as seven women spoke about the devastation he had brought on their lives, and was told by one: “You are an abuser, you are shameless, you are disgusting."

Some of the victims directly addressed Kelly, 55, while others held back tears or paused for breath during their speech, at today's sentencing hearing in New York.

During a trial last year, Kelly, full name Robert Michael Kelly, was convicted of federal racketeering and sex trafficking stemming from his efforts over decades to use his fame to ensnare victims he sexually abused.

A sketch of R Kelly in court today

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( REUTERS)

The Ignition hitmaker, who denied all charges, was found guilty on all nine counts against him following a six-week trial in Brooklyn, New York.

Ahead of Kelly being handed his jail sentence, the court heard from several women who read out their powerful victim impact statements.

One woman, named Jane Doe 2 in court, who testified at the trial said: "It's been 23 years since we knew each other, and you've victimised a lot of girls since then."

She later added: "Now it's your turn to have your freedom taken from you.”

She had described in detail how Kelly would return sweaty from basketball games with his friends before making her perform oral sex on him.

R Kelly in court in 2019

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( POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

“I felt special because someone who was special to the world was interested in me,” she said, adding, “I hope you go to jail for the rest of your life.”

“You are an abuser, you are shameless, you are disgusting,” she told him.

Another woman, known as Jane Doe No 3, who testified at trial that she was imprisoned and raped at his home in Olympia Fields, Illinois in 2003 also address the court.

She described how the singer would have people watch and follow her over the years.

R Kelly listens as a victim speaks in court

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( REUTERS)

“I was scared for my life,” she said. The woman had emailed a statement to the court that she did not wish to read in full.

But before leaving the lectern, she added: “I hope and I pray to God that we can all heal.”

Victim Kitti Jones, who had spoken about the abuse in the documentary Surviving R Kelly, said that he did things to her that she “plans to take to my grave,” also saying, “Many of us have been waiting for this day to come.”

R Kelly has been handed 30 years in prison

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( Getty Images)

A woman using the pseudonym Angela told him: “The pied piper of R&B, both in music and in technique and in approach.

“Success and love… you presented these glittering gems as if they were gold.

“With every addition of a new victim you grew in wickedness, cockiness, diminishing any form of humanity or self-awareness, which soon became the breeding ground for your God-like complex.

“You were doing, saying and encouraging despicable things that no one should be doing.

One woman, under the name Jane Doe, said she still suffers the consequences of abuse today.

“I am now 45, a mother, and I struggle with mental health," she said.

Addressing the singer and using his first name, she said: “Robert, you destroyed so many people’s lives.”

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