Ariel Castro Speech: Full Statement During Sentencing (VIDEO)

In a speech before his final sentencing (watch the full speech below), admitted Cleveland kidnapper Ariel Castro pleaded with the judge not to consider him a “monster” like the prosecution has claimed, instead insisting that he is “just sick” with a “sexual addiction” and far from a violent person.

During his 10-minute statement, Castro repeatedly claimed he is “not a violent person,” and, at one point, suggested much of the sexual activity in the house was consensual because the girls would “ask for sex.” There was “harmony” in the home, he said, contrary to reports of violence, sexual abuse, and terminated pregnancies.

“I’m not a violent person. I simply kept them there so they couldn’t leave,” he said.

Upon kidnapping Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus, and Michelle Knight a decade ago, Castro claimed he was simply acting upon his “sexual instinct” and was not engaging in “predatory behavior.” He frequently made mention of his claimed addiction to masturbation and pornography.

Eventually Castro turned and apologized to his victims and their families, but then continued to explain his “addition” to sex and his belief that he is not a violent man. Reports that he was abusive to his ex-wife, he said, were unfairly taken out-of-context because he only ever hit her because she wouldn’t “quiet down” around their children.

Watch below, via Fox News: