US sleuth sentenced to 15 years

Mr Pellicano was convicted of 76 charges in May

Hollywood private eye Anthony Pellicano has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for running a wiretapping scheme that spied on the rich and famous.

Prosecutors said the 64-year-old listened in on phone calls of stars such as Sylvester Stallone and bribed police officers to gain information.

The judge also ordered Mr Pellicano and two other defendants to forfeit a total of $2m (£1.3m).

He was convicted of 76 charges in May after a two-month trial.

US district judge Dale Fischer said Mr Pellicano engaged in "reprehensible behaviour" while digging up dirt to use in legal and other disputes.

"He did this eagerly, sometimes maliciously, and with extreme pride," he said.

Celebrity clients

Mr Pellicano showed no emotion when the sentence was read saying: "I have taken full and complete responsibility for all my actions."

The former sleuth had worked for lawyers representing Tom Cruise, Elizabeth Taylor and Michael Jackson.

Stars like comedian Garry Shandling testified during the trial

Hollywood stars including actors Chris Rock and Garry Shandling, Paramount Pictures chief executive Brad Grey and former Walt Disney president Michael Ovitz were among a string of witnesses who appeared during the trial.

They testified they hired Mr Pellicano, or were spied on by him, during disputes ranging from cheating spouses and paternity lawsuits to showbusiness contracts.

Mr Pellicano acted as his own lawyer during the trial and called only one witness.

He also kept his promise that he would not give up information about his clients to save himself.

Authorities were led to Mr Pellicano after former Los Angeles Times reporter Anita Busch found a dead fish with a rose in its mouth on her car along with a sign reading "stop" in June 2002.

In total, 14 people have been charged in connection with the case.

Seven, including Die Hard film director John McTiernan and former Hollywood Records president Robert Pfeifer, have pleaded guilty to charges including perjury and conspiracy.