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LOS ANGELES : An Indian-born fashion designer convicted of sexually abusing a string of teenage girls and women was Monday sentenced to a minimum of 59 years in jail by a Los Angeles judge.
Anand Jon Alexander, 35, whose clothes had reportedly been worn by stars celebrities including Paris Hilton and Mary J Blige, was found guilty of 16 sex crimes, including forcible rape and sexual battery, at a trial in November.
Alexander represented himself at Monday's sentencing hearing, where he broke down in tears as he requested a new trial. The judge rejected his request.
Prosecutors at Los Angeles Superior Court had accused him of preying on a string of girls and women aged between 14 and 21 over a six-year period from 2002 to 2007.
Nine women testified against Alexander during his trial. Most of the designer's victims were aspiring models lured into meetings with Alexander and forced into sex, prosecutors said.
Alexander is also the subject of an indictment made up of similar allegations in New York, as well as an ongoing probe in Dallas.
- AFP/il
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