Sheridan sentenced to three years in jail following News of the World perjury verdict
Former msp Tommy Sheridan has been sentenced to three years in jail having been convicted of perjury during his libel action against the News of the World in 2004.
Defending himself at the High Court in Glasgow today, Sheridan claimed that the media wanted him to be made an example of and asked the Judge, Lord Bracadale to be as lenient as possible, also highlighting that he was of no threat to the public.
"My primary concern is the devastating effect of custody on my family,” he told the courtoom.”
Sheridan successfully sued the tabloid newspaper in 2006 for £200,000 after it reported in a series of stories that he had attended a sex club in Manchester in 2004, along with reports that he had had an affair.
The newspaper also claimed to have a video tape of Sheridan admitting to attending the club - which Sheridan claimed was false.
Former editor of The News of the World, Andy Coulson, former head of communications for the Conservative Party, was called as one of the witnesses in the case.
It took the jury just six hours to convict Sheridan.