Disgraced US Olympic doctor jailed for 175 years

LARRY NASSAR, the former US gymnastics team doctor who was accused of sexually abusing more than 150 young girls, has been sentenced to up to 175 years in prison.

Nassar, 54, worked at Michigan State University and USA Gymnastics, which trains Olympians. Over the course of 25 years he was accused of abusing more than 50 girls who went to him for treatment. Among those who accused him were Olympic medallists Simone Biles, Gabby Douglas and Aly Raisman.

One woman, Kyle Stephens, was six years old when the abuse began. Nassar, a family friend, began molesting her at her own home and her parents did not believe her when she told them.

“You convinced my parents that I was a liar,” Stephens told the court.

“Little girls don’t stay little forever,” she added. “They grow into strong women that return to destroy your world.” Once her father realised she was telling the truth, he took his own life, Stephens said.

Nassar, who admitted abusing seven girls, had already been jailed for 60 years for possessing child pornography. Sentencing him yesterday, Judge Rosemarie Aquilina, of Ingham County circuit court in Michigan, said: “I just signed your death warrant.” She said he must serve a minimum of 40 years.