An Italian court on Thursday began a sentencing hearing against Silvio Berlusconi which could see the three-time former Prime Minister and billionaire tycoon forced to do community service for nine months. Berlusconi himself was not present. But security was heightened outside the courtroom, with police officers patrolling the corridors, and there was a large number of reporters and cameramen waiting outside.
The 77-year-old has been sentenced to a year’s prison but will avoid actual jail time because of leniency for over-70s in Italy, and the period is likely to be further reduced by 90 days due to good behaviour.