Fashion designer gets 59 years in jail

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 1 (UPI) -- Fashion designer Anand Jon Alexander was sentenced Monday in a Los Angeles court to 59 years to life in prison for sexually assaulting seven women and girls.

Alexander, 35, was a guest designer on the reality television show "America's Next Top Model" and at one time made clothes for socialite Paris Hilton, singer Mary J. Blige and other celebrities.

He was arrested in 2007 and convicted last November of 16 charges of rape, sexual assault and other crimes committed against female victims as young as 14. He faces similar charges in Texas and New York, and, if convicted there as well, his sentences are expected to be added to his Los Angeles sentence.

Prosecutors said he preyed on women he promised to help with their modeling careers.

The Los Angeles Times reported Alexander acted as his own attorney at his sentencing and requested he be given a new trial, claiming misconduct on the part of a juror and prosecutors, and inadequate representation by his former lawyers.

The request was denied, the newspaper said.