LAS VEGAS - O.J. Simpson has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for his role in an armed robbery inside a Las Vegas casino.

Simpson and accomplice Clarence "C.J." Stewart will spend at least six years behind bars before they are eligible for parole.

A teary-eyed Simpson apologized to the court before the sentence was handed down, saying he "didn't want to steal anything from anyone".

Simpson and his attorneys described the armed confrontation at the Palace Station casino hotel as an effort to reclaim memorabilia that had been stolen from the former NFL star.