Anand Jon gets 59 years in jail

Celebrity Indian-American fashion designer Anand Jon was sentenced to 59 years in prison by a court for sexually assaulting aspiring models.

Celebrity Indian-American fashion designer Anand Jon was sentenced to 59 years in prison by a court for sexually assaulting aspiring models. (AP photo)

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge David Wesley announced the judgement following a daylong passionate argument by 35-year-old Jon himself seeking a fresh trial.(AP photo)
In his ruling, Judge Wesley said there were no new grounds for granting such a motion. Jon showed no reaction as Judge Wesley said he should be incarcerated as long as possible for preying upon young girls and women. Jon was convicted in November of 14 counts including forcible rape.(AP photo)
Wesley said Jon must serve 14 years in state prison -- before he begins to serve a 45-year-to-life sentence. He was denied bail while he prepares his appeal. Soon thereafter Jon was immediately remanded to the custody of the state. (AP photo)

The designer has been featured on the television show America's Next Top Model and worked with such celebrities as Paris Hilton and Mary J Blige. (AP photo)
Earlier appearing as his own counsel, Jon used most part of his defence to attack juror Alvin Dymally, who had reached out to his sister Sanjana, in an apparent attempt to woo her or to offer his assistance in influencing jury deliberations in his favour. (AP photo)
Appearing as a witness, Jon's mother Shashi Abraham told the court how Dymally had made casual; passing contact with her during the trial at one point reassuring her that Jon was innocent and he would be set free.<br><br>Shashi Jon said: ''He is not capable of doing anything like this. This was beyond my belief that Anand has been taken in and arrested on charges of molestation.'' (AP photo)

During his defence, at one point, he even expressed frustration over the lawyers who defended his case earlier. (AP photo)
Earlier this year, supporters of Anand Jon in New Delhi took out a candle light vigil for a fair trial of the designer. (AP photo)