Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis have apologised for sending letters of support in Danny Masterson’s rape trial.

It emerged yesterday that Kutcher, 45, and Kunis, 40 – who starred alongside Masterson on That ’70s Show – shared statements on his behalf ahead of his sentencing.

The disgraced sitcom actor was found guilty of two counts of forcible rape in May, while the jury was unable to reach a verdict on a third count. 

Then on Thursday, the 47-year-old was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison over the charges, and will not be eligible for parole until he is 77.

In total, 50 stars and close friends of Masterson’s wrote to the judge sentencing him, with Kutcher describing him as a ‘role model’.

Kunis, meanwhile, vouched for his ‘exceptional character’.

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The couple came under intense fire for their actions, and have now addressed the criticism in a video.

In a statement shared to Instagram, Kutcher began: ‘We are aware of the pain that has been caused by the character letters that we wrote on behalf of Danny Masterson.’

Kunis then said: ‘We support all victims.

‘We have done this historically through all our work and will continue to do so in the future.’

Explaining the meaning behind their letters, Kutcher added: ‘A couple of months ago, Danny’s family reached out to us and they asked us to write character letters to represent the person that we knew for 25 years so that the judge could take that into full consideration relative to the sentencing.’

Kutcher also said their letters were in no way meant to ‘re-traumatise’ the victims.

‘The letters were not written to question the legitimacy of the judicial system or the validity of a jury’s ruling,’ she added.

‘They were intended for the judge to read,’ stated Kutcher. ‘And not to undermine the testimonies of the victims or re-traumatise them in any way. We never want to do that.’

‘We’re sorry that that has taken place,’ he added as Kunis nodded.

‘Our hearts go out to every single person who’s ever been a victim of sexual assault, sexual abuse, or rape,’ she concluded before stopping the filming.

The pair turned off comments on the video, shared to Kutcher’s page.

Other people who are known to have sent letters of support for Masterson include actress Debra Jo Rupp and actor Kurtwood Smith, who played Kitty and Red Forman on That ‘70s Show.

Letters were also submitted by Smith’s brother-in-law, actor William Baldwin, and brother/sister actors Giovanni and Marissa Ribisi.

However, despite Masterson’s lawyers submitting the letters with the recommendation that Judge Charlaine F. Olmedo sentence him to concurrent sentences for each rape conviction, she declined to do so.

She told him: ‘Mr Masterson, you are not the victim here.

‘Your actions 20 years ago took away another person’s choice and voice. Your actions 20 years ago were criminal, and that’s why you are here.’

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