Fraud charges against Conrad Black

Disgraced former UK media tycoon Conrad Black has been sentenced to six-and-a-half years in jail after his trial on fraud charges.

The former Daily Telegraph owner is now set to appeal against the verdict after a jury convicted him of swindling shareholders out of six million dollars (£2.96 million) in a scam with three other colleagues.

Lord Black of Crossharbour, 63, illegally received cash and was found guilty of three counts of fraud and one of obstruction at the Dirksen Federal Courthouse in Chicago.

Judge Amy St Eve told the former Hollinger International chief executive: "I frankly cannot understand how somebody of your status, on top of the media empire you were on top of, can engage in the conduct you did and put everything at risk."

She said there is "equal justice" in American law, no matter how "rich, powerful or successful you are".

"No-one is above the law," she said.

"No-one is immune. And that, Mr Black, includes you."

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