The maximum sentence for Black's crimes - whose guilty verdict the British peer is appealing - is 35 years.

But legal experts say he can expect a jail term of between five and 15 years.

Black, who has continued to profess his innocence since the trial, has said the prospect of a lengthy spell in prison was "a bore but All Black gives behaviour apology ...
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'Not ashamed'

In an e-mail sent to Canadian broadcaster CBC, Black said he would not feel ashamed of being incarcerated.

"I can get on with anyone and adjust to almost anything and I don't consider it shaming," he said.

Along with several former business associates, Black was convicted of three counts of stealing $3.5m from shareholders of the newspaper publisher Hollinger International that he once headed.

They were found guilty of paying themselves tax-free bonuses from the sale of newspaper assets without the approval of the company's board.

In addition, Black was convicted on one count of obstructing justice, after being recorded on tape removing documents from his office in Toronto after US regulators had informed him he was under investigation.

The maximum sentence for the fraud convictions is five years while an obstruction of justice conviction carries a maximum penalty of 20 years.

Defence lawyers believe the 63-year old will be sent down for a maximum of six years but prosecutors are seeking a more punitive sentence because of Black's apparent lack of remorse over his actions.

In a BBC interview last month, Black claimed he done "absolutely nothing" wrong and had been a victim of persecution by the US government.

"This story is not over," he said. "This isn't like a fall and it is not an end."

Black is currently free on $21m (£10.5m) bail but is restricted in his movements to the Chicago area and his Florida mansion.

(BBC)

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