Conrad Black awaiting sentencing

Conrad Black is appealing against his conviction

Five months after being convicted of fraud and obstructing justice, former media tycoon Conrad Black is due in court for sentencing.

The maximum sentence for Black's crimes is 35 years.

But legal experts say the British peer - who is appealing against his conviction - can expect a jail term of between five and 15 years.

Black, who maintains his innocence, has said the prospect of a lengthy spell in prison is "a bore but quite endurable".

'Not ashamed'

In an e-mail sent to Canadian broadcaster CBC, Black said he would not feel ashamed by being incarcerated.

"I can get on with anyone and adjust to almost anything and I don't consider it shaming," he said.

Along with several former business associates, Black was convicted of three counts of stealing $3.5m from shareholders of the newspaper publisher that he once headed, Hollinger International.

They were found guilty of paying themselves tax-free bonuses from the sale of newspaper assets without the approval of the company's board.

In addition, Black was convicted on one count of obstructing justice, after being recorded on tape removing documents from his office in Toronto after US regulators had informed him he was under investigation.

The maximum sentence for the fraud convictions is five years while an obstruction of justice conviction carries a maximum penalty of 20 years.

Defence lawyers believe the 63-year old will be sent down for a maximum of six years but prosecutors are seeking a more punitive sentence because of Black's apparent lack of remorse over his actions.

In a BBC interview last month, Black claimed he had done "absolutely nothing" wrong and had been a victim of persecution by the US government.

"This story is not over," he said. "This isn't like a fall and it is not an end."

Black is currently free on $21m (£10.5m) bail but is restricted in his movements to the Chicago area and his Florida mansion.