R Kelly's marriage to Aaliyah and how her age was faked to hide pregnancy

dailyrecord.co.uk:

During R Kelly 's sex abuse trial, shocking details of his marriage to late singer Aaliyah resurfaced. Just yesterday, the 55-year-old singer, was sentenced after being found guilty of racketeering and sex trafficking following a federal trial in New York in September last year.

The 90s R&B singer, who's full name is Robert Kelly, was branded a "predator" who used his fame to "prey on the young, the vulnerable and the voiceless for his own sexual gratification", writes The Mirror.During the trial, the jury heard that Kelly was accused of bribing a government employee to overlook Aaliyah's age so the pair could wed in 1994 – when Aaliyah was just 15 years old.The singer met Aaliyah through her uncle Barry Hankerson, who was Kelly's manager at the time.Barry brought a 12-year-old Aaliyah into the studio and had her sing for Kelly.

The pair then began spending time together as Kelly produced the singer's debut album, which he titled Age Ain't Nothing But A Number.

READ MORE: R Kelly jailed for 30 years after being found guilty of vile sex abuse crimes READ MORE: Scots RuPaul Drag Race winner Lawrence Chaney to appear on Celebrity GoggleboxHowever, their relationship soon turned sour – with accusations of sexual abuse, pregnancy and a fraudulent marriage licence so Aaliyah could have an abortion.Kelly was accused of bribing the Illinois government employer on 30 August 1994 so he could obtain a fake ID for the late singer, who died in 2001.The fake ID, which claimed her age was 18, was then used to obtain a marriage license so a then 27-year-old Kelly could wed the singer, who's full name was Aaliyah Dana Haughton, named as Jane Doe one in the federal indictments.During the 2021 trial it was also claimed by a victim,