Friday, 25 April 2008

Wesley Snipes jailed for 3 years

Actor to make appeal against maximum sentence

Wesley Snipes has been sentenced to 3 years in prison for 'wilfully failing to file tax returns'.

The actor attended a court in Ocala, Florida, yesterday to hear the sentencing by District Judge William Terrell Hodges.

'In my mind these are serious crimes, albeit misdemeanours,' Judge William said as he delivered the ruling.

In February, Wesley, 45, was found guilty of deliberately failing to file tax returns between 1999 and 2001.

He was cleared of more serious fraud and conspiracy charges, for which he could have received a 16-year sentence.

Before sentencing, Wesley asked for mercy on the basis that he was 'a spiritually motivated artist, unschooled in the science of law and finance', reports BBC News.

But the judge agreed with prosecutors that an example should be set because of his fame.

Wesley, who must surrender to custody at a later date, will appeal.

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