Weinstein taken to hospital with chest pains after being jailed for 23 years

After spending a very short span of time in jail, Harvey Weinstein started complaining of chest pains. The staff decided to shift him to the hospital for "safety" purposes.

Washington: After being sentenced to 23 years in prison on Wednesday on charges of sexual assault and third-degree rape, former Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein was taken to New York's Bellevue Hospital, according to sources.

The movie mogul spent a very short span of time in jail before being taken to the hospital.

Weinstein was taken from the Manhattan courthouse to Rikers Island where he started complaining of chest pains. The staff decided to shift him to the hospital for "safety" purposes, said his spokesperson.

"We appreciate the care and concern of the Department of Corrections officers and staff," said Weinstein's spokesperson.

On Wednesday, the former Hollywood producer was sentenced to 23 years in a New York state prison on charges of sexual assault and third-degree rape.

The 67-year-old Weinstein, who was once one of Hollywood's most powerful figures, was convicted of the first-degree criminal sexual act last month, based on the testimony of Miriam Haley, and rape in the third degree, based on the testimony of one-time aspiring actor Jessica Mann.

"If Harvey Weinstein had not been convicted by this jury, it would have happened again and again and again," Haley said in court, according to sources.

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"I am relieved he will now know he's not above the law. I'm relieved there are women out there who are safer because he's not out there."

The verdict by the New York jury was hailed as a turning point in the widespread #MeToo movement which found exposure following sexual-abuse allegations against Weinstein.

Weinstein arrived at Wednesday's hearing in a wheelchair. He had been in state custody since last month's verdict and has had several health issues.

From ANI inputs.