US leftist gang member imprisoned

Kilgore evaded justice for more than 25 years

A former fugitive and member of a radical leftist group has been jailed for four-and-a-half years on charges dating back to the 1970s, AP reports.

James Kilgore, who evaded the US authorities for more than 25 years, was extradited from South Africa two years ago to stand trial.

He was convicted on explosives and passport fraud charges.

He was a member of the Symbionese Liberation Army, known for the kidnap of newspaper heiress Patty Hearst.

The US authorities say he was the last of the group to face justice.

Four other members were jailed for between six and eight years in February 2003 after being found guilty of the murder of a bank customer during a hold-up in 1975.

Disappearance

The Associated Press news agency said Kilgore was charged with possession of a pipe bomb allegedly found in his apartment in 1975, and obtaining a passport under a false name. He pleaded guilty to the charges.

Federal prosecutors had sought 10 years for the bomb charge and more than a year for the passport violation.

Next month Kilgore is expected to be sentenced for another six years for the 1975 murder, after pleading guilty last year.

The SLA formed in Berkeley, California in the 1970s, and committed a series of bombings, murders and robberies before most of its members were killed in a dramatic fire following a gun battle with Los Angeles police.

But Kilgore disappeared and ended up living a double life in Cape Town, where he married, had children and worked as a highly respected university researcher.