John Walker Lindh, the American who fought alongside the Taliban in Afghanistan, has received a 20-year prison sentence.

JOHN WALKER LINDH was last night ready to accept a 20-year prison term at his sentencing hearing, a deal struck in return for his information on former Taliban colleagues, Islamic extremists and future possible al-Qaida attacks.

JOHN WALKER LINDH was last night sentenced to a 20-year prison term at his sentencing hearing, a deal struck in return for his information on former Taliban colleagues, Islamic extremists and future possible al-Qaida attacks.

John Walker Lindh, the young convert to Islam who left California to fight alongside the Taliban, has pleaded guilty to two charges in a surprise deal that spares him life in prison and ensures his co-operation with US terrorism investigators.

John Walker Lindh's trial will likely start in late August, raising the odds the former Taliban soldier will be in court on the anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks.