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Snipes sentenced to three years | Snipes sentenced to three years |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Hollywood actor Wesley Snipes has received a three year prison sentence for tax offences. | Hollywood actor Wesley Snipes has received a three year prison sentence for tax offences. |
A federal judge handed down the maximum term requested by prosecutors - one year for each of Snipes' convictions of wilfully failing to file a tax return. | A federal judge handed down the maximum term requested by prosecutors - one year for each of Snipes' convictions of wilfully failing to file a tax return. |
Snipes' lawyers had called for leniency, arguing that the offences were misdemeanours and that the star was of good character. | Snipes' lawyers had called for leniency, arguing that the offences were misdemeanours and that the star was of good character. |
But prosecutors said an example should be set because of Snipes' fame. | But prosecutors said an example should be set because of Snipes' fame. |
In February, Snipes was found guilty of deliberately failing to file tax returns for 1999, 2000 and 2001, but was cleared of more serious fraud and conspiracy charges. | In February, Snipes was found guilty of deliberately failing to file tax returns for 1999, 2000 and 2001, but was cleared of more serious fraud and conspiracy charges. |
'Serious crimes' | 'Serious crimes' |
United States District Judge William Terrell Hodges said the action star had shown a "history of contempt over a period of time" for US tax laws. | United States District Judge William Terrell Hodges said the action star had shown a "history of contempt over a period of time" for US tax laws. |
"In my mind these are serious crimes, albeit misdemeanours", he said. | "In my mind these are serious crimes, albeit misdemeanours", he said. |
Before sentencing Snipes asked the court to show mercy, apologising for his behaviour by saying that he was "an idealistic, naive, passionate, truth-seeking, spiritually motivated artist, unschooled in the science of law and finance". | |
He also offered three cheques amounting to $5m (£2.5m) as a gesture of good will. | |
Snipes is currently not in custody and it is not yet clear when he will have to surrender to the authorities. | |
In the meantime his lawyers have said they will appeal against the sentence. | |
The star of films such as "Blade 3" and "Demolition Man" had asked for probation instead of imprisonment. | The star of films such as "Blade 3" and "Demolition Man" had asked for probation instead of imprisonment. |
Fellow actors Woody Harrelson and Denzel Washington sent letters as character witnesses, as did family, friends and employees. | Fellow actors Woody Harrelson and Denzel Washington sent letters as character witnesses, as did family, friends and employees. |
The actor's first role was in Goldie Hawn's 1986 American football comedy Wildcats, and he has also appeared in hit films such as White Men Can't Jump, and Passenger 57. | The actor's first role was in Goldie Hawn's 1986 American football comedy Wildcats, and he has also appeared in hit films such as White Men Can't Jump, and Passenger 57. |