Ex-Chinese police chief jailed

The ex-police chief at the heart of China's biggest political scandal in years has been sentenced to 15 years in jail, BBC News reported, citing state media.

Wang Lijun was jailed for ''bending the law for selfish ends, defection, abuse of power and bribetaking", Xinhua said.

The policeman's flight in February to a US consulate led to the downfall of his ex-boss, top politician Bo Xilai. Bo's wife was convicted in August of killing UK national Neil Heywood. Wang was accused of helping in a cover up. Wang had faced up to 20 years in jail, but prosecutors called his co-operation "meritorious service". He told the court that he would not appeal the sentence, state media said.

The ''combined term'' of 15 years in prison included nine years for bribery, seven for bending the law, two for defection and two for abuse of power, state television reported.

''We decided to sentence him to 15 years altogether on all the four charges and deprive [him of] his political rights for one year," court spokesman Yang Yuquan told reporters.

The verdict was ''in accordance with the law'', Mr Yang added, saying three of Wang's relatives were at the hearing.
Wang's lawyer, Wang Yuncai, also told the Associated Press that the sentence was ''considered normal'' under Chinese law.

The verdict comes as China prepares to select new leaders in coming weeks. It is due to hold a party congress that will see major changes in the top echelons of leadership, although specific dates have not been announced.