US Actor Danny Masterson sentenced to 30 years for rape

Danny Masterson, a US actor, was sentenced to 30 years in prison for raping two women.

Masterson rose to prominence in the early 2000s after appearing on ”That 70s Show,” a TV show that was aired at the time of his crimes.

Judge Charlaine Olmedo, according to foreign media, enabled his victims to read comments in court prior to his sentencing.

Masterson allegedly drugged and assaulted the women in separate events at his Hollywood Hills home between 2001 and 2003.

“I forgive you. Your sickness is no longer mine to bear,” said one victim, identified as Jane Doe 2 in the case.

The woman, who was a member of the Church of Scientology when she met Masterson, described the religious organization as an “enabler and protector” for him and said she was “terrorized and harassed” by the church when she tried to speak out about her rape.

Prosecutors argued Masterson, 47, had relied on his status as a prominent scientologist to avoid accountability.

However, In a statement, the Church of Scientology said there was not a scintilla of evidence supporting the scandalous allegations that the Church harassed the accusers.

The actor was convicted after three women testified that he had sexually assaulted them at his Hollywood home from 2001 during the height of his television fame.

He was found guilty of rape against two of his three accusers. The charges brought by the third accuser were declared a mistrial and prosecutors said they do not plan to retry the case.

Masterson who remained silent all through the trial, declined the chance he was given to speak .

As the judge read his sentence, his wife, Bijou Phillips, was seen in court breaking down in tears.

Alison Anderson, a lawyer representing two of the victims, said in a statement said the women have displayed tremendous strength and bravery, by coming forward to law enforcement and participating directly in two gruelling criminal trial.