India-born fashion designer gets 59 years for
rape
LOS ANGELES (AFP) - - An Indian-born fashion designer
convicted of sexually abusing a string of teenage girls and women
was 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.