Larry Nassar pleads guilty to sexually assaulting gymnasts, judge tells he will be in ‘darkness’

Larry Nassar faces a minimum prison term of 25 to 40 years and has pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting seven people with his hands, but the hearing has been open to all of his accusers -- more than 150 women and girls have given statements or had them read by others.

A judge at the sentencing hearing of Michigan sports doctor Larry Nassar, who sexually assaulted young gymnasts and other girls, said he will “be in darkness the rest of his life”.

Larry Nassar, a former team USA Gymnastics doctor who pleaded guilty in November 2017 to sexual assault charges, is escorted into the courtroom during his sentencing hearing in Lansing, Michigan, on Wednesday (REUTERS)

Judge Rosemarie Aquilina made the remark on Wednesday as Larry Nassar’s sentencing hearing entered a seventh and final day in Lansing, Michigan. The judge is listening to a few more victims before she sends him to prison.

Sterling Riethman told Nassar that he created an “army of warrior women” with no “white flag to wave.”

Nassar faces a minimum prison term of 25 to 40 years. He pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting seven people with his hands, but the hearing has been open to all of his accusers. More than 150 women and girls have given statements or had them read by others.

Nassar worked at Michigan State University and USA Gymnastics, which trains Olympians.