Ghislaine Maxwell sentenced to 20 years for her role in Jeffrey Epstein’s child sex crimes

Jeffrey Epstein’s right hand woman Ghislaine Maxwell spoke in court about her biggest “regret” before being jailed for 20 years.

Sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell has been sent to prison for 20 years for helping billionaire paedophile Jeffrey Epstein procure girls for sex.

She apologised in court for her crimes telling her victims, many of who were present, that she hoped her jail time brought them “closure”.

“I acknowledge with that I have been a victim of helping Jeffrey Epstein commit these crimes,” she told the judge, claiming meeting the predator was “the biggest regret” of her life.

One victim said outside court that “sorry doesn’t cut it”.

The sentence is far shorter than the maximum 55 years that prosecutors were seeking. Despite that, Maxwell’s lawyers have said they will appeal and that the jail time reflected the late Epstein’s crimes rather than her own.

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Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell sits as the guilty verdict in her sex abuse trial is read in a courtroom sketch in New York City. Picture: Reuters/Jane Rosenberg

Maxwell, 60, was sentenced in a New York court after being convicted in December of sex trafficking of a minor, transporting a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity and three other related charges. All the charges were related to Epstein.

Judge Alison Nathan said Maxwell’s criminal activity was “extensive” and characterised her as Epstein’s “number two” and the “lady” of his house.

She will spend 20 years in prison with five years of supervised release. Maxwell will also have to pay a $US750,000 ($A1.1m) fine.

‘Opening the door to hell’

In court, Australian victim Virginia Giuffre accused Maxwell of “opening the door to hell”. Another of her victims said in a statement that Maxwell was a “monster” who deserved the maximum sentence possible.

Ghislaine Maxwell in 2014. (Photo by Rob Kim / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP)

The British socialite was ushered into the New York Southern District federal court at 11am local time on Tuesday, shackled and dressed in blue scrubs.

She barely reacted when the sentence was handed down.

Over the weekend, she was reportedly placed on suicide watch at the New York prison where she is being held. High-flying financier and friend of the rich and famous Epstein killed himself at a Manhattan prison in 2019.

Judge Nathan said Maxwell’s wealth had no effect on her punishment.

“Whether you are powerful or entirely unknown, nobody is above the law”.

Victims Sarah Ransome (R) and Elizabeth Stein arrive at court for the sentencing hearing of Ghislaine Maxwell. (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP)

‘Sorry doesn’t cut it’

Outside court, victim Sarah Ransome shrugged off Maxwell’s courtroom apologies.

“To take someone into a room to be raped, there aren’t enough sorrys in the world.

“I’m sorry doesn’t cut it.”

Maxwell’s lawyer Bobbi Sternheim said the “extremely long” sentence would be appealed. Her client, she said, had been “tried and convicted” by public opinion.

“Clever and cunning to the end, Jeffery Epstein left Ghislaine Maxwell holding the whole bag,” said Ms Sternheim.

Annie Farmer, who has accused Jeffrey Epstein of abuse, stands with her lawyer outside of Manhattan Federal Court. Picture: Getty Images/AFP

Sarah Ransome (L) and Elizabeth Stein (R), alleged sexual abuse victims of Jeffrey Epstein, leave the US District Court. Picture: Ed Jones/AFP

‘Why did you enjoy hurting us so much?’

A lawyer for Australian-American Ms Giuffre read a statement to Maxwell during the sentencing.

“Together, you did unthinkable things that still have a corrosive impact on me to this day,” she wrote.

“I want to be clear about one thing: without question, Jeffrey Epstein was a terrible paedophile. But I never would have met Jeffrey Epstein if not for you.

“For me, and for so many others, you opened the door to hell.

“You could have put an end to the rapes, the molestations, the sickening manipulations that you arranged, witnessed and even took part in. You could’ve called the authorities and reported that you were a part of something awful.”

Ms Giuffre asked Maxwell “Why? Why, Ghislaine, did you enjoy hurting us so much?”

“Ghislaine, you deserve to spend the rest of your life in a jail cell. You deserve to be trapped in a cage forever, just like you trapped your victims.”

Virginia Giuffre at a hearing in 2019 in New York. (Barry Williams/New York Daily News/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

‘Ghislaine Maxwell is a monster’

The victim statement of Juliette Bryant also pulled no punches.

“Simply put, Ghislaine Maxwell is a monster,” the South African said.

“Ever since she and Jeffrey Epstein got their hands on me, I have never felt OK.

“Thinking about them still gives me frequent panic attacks and night terrors.”

She called for the judge to impose the maximum sentence.

An undated trial evidence image of British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell and US financier Jeffrey Epstein. Picture: US District Court for the Southern District of New York / AFP).

Maxwell: ‘I hope my incarceration brings you closure’

Maxwell also read out a statement. Looking at the various victims who attended court she said, “I am sorry for the pain that you experienced. I hope my conviction and harsh incarceration brings you closure”.

British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell and US financier Jeffrey Epstein. (Photo by Handout / US District Court for the Southern District of New York / AFP)

She said Epstein was “manipulative, controlling and cunning”. But she added, “today is not about Epstein. It is for me to ultimately be sentenced“.

Prosecutors called for a stiff sentence for Maxwell of anything between 30 and 55 years in jail.

Maxwell’s defence team said a sentence of that magnitude would be a “travesty of justice”. They argued for between four and 5.25 years behind bars.