Ghislaine Maxwell Sentenced To 20 Years In Prison For Sex Trafficking

She was also found guilty of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of minors and of transporting a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity.

Judge Alison Nathan passed down the sentence today, handing the 60-year-old a 20-year sentence and a fine of $750,000 (£615,000).

Maxwell apologised to the victims of her abuses and said she hopes her sentence will allow them 'peace and finality'.

The British socialite said meeting Epstein was the 'greatest regret of my life' and that she wanted to 'acknowledge the suffering' of her victims.

Arrested on sex trafficking counts in 2019, Epstein took his own life in a federal jail in New York while awaiting a trial of his own.

They argued she 'cannot and should not bear all the punishment' that would have been doled out to Epstein had he not died in jail before he could go to trial.

Describing Maxwell as 'not a dangerous criminal or a habitual offender', they claimed all she wants is to 'live a normal family life'.

However, speaking outside of court, one of her accusers said she should spend the rest of her life behind bars.

However, prosecutors described Maxwell as 'shockingly predatory' and said she displayed a 'callous disregard for other human beings' while committing the crimes she has been convicted of.

They had been pushing for Maxwell to face a sentence of between 30 and 55 years in prison, a verdict that would likely mean she would die behind bars.

The US probation service had recommended a 20-year sentence for Maxwell, while her defence team had tried to argue that between four and five years would be a more appropriate punishment.