‘Greatest regret of my life is that I ever met Epstein’
SHE stayed silent during her trial, declining to give evidence, but last night, Ghislaine Maxwell stood up and spoke for the first time since her arrest.
She told the court: ‘Your honour, it is hard for me to address the court after hearing the pain and anguish expressed in the statements made here today.
‘The terrible impact on the lives of so many women is difficult to hear, and even more difficult to absorb, both in its scale and its extent.
‘I want to acknowledge their suffering, and empathise. I empathise deeply with the victims in this case.
‘I also acknowledge I have been convicted of helping Jeffrey Epstein commit these crimes.
‘And despite the many helpful and positive things I have done in my life and will continue to do, I know that my association with Epstein and this case will for ever and permanently stain me.
‘It is the greatest regret of my life I ever met Jeffrey Epstein.
‘I have had plenty of time to think about it. ‘I believe that Jeffrey Epstein was a manipulative, cunning and controlling man who fooled all of those in his orbit.’ She added: ‘His impact on all those close to him has been devastating ... and their lives completely derailed.
‘Jeffrey Epstein should have been here before you, in 2005, in 2009 and in 2019, all the times he was accused and prosecuted.
‘But today it is not about Epstein. Ultimately, it is for me to be sentenced, and the victims to address me.
‘To all of you victims who came to court, I am sorry for the pain that you experienced. I hope that my conviction along with my harsh incarceration brings you closure and hope this brings peace.
‘It is my sincerest wish to all those in this courtroom that this day brings a terrible chapter to a close.
‘May this day help you travel from darkness to the light.’