Conrad Black returned to jail

CONRAD BLACK, the once-powerful media mogul whose newspaper empire spanned several continents, was last night heading back to prison for another 13 months after a federal judge ruled he had not served enough time for defrauding investors.

US Judge Amy St Eve sentenced Black to 42 months in prison, but prosecutors say he will be given credit for the 29 months he has served.

The resentencing came after an appeals court decision last year. Black did not concede guilt. “I never ask for mercy,” he said, “but I do ask for avoidance of injustice.”

A jury convicted Black in 2007 and he was sentenced to six-and-a-half years for defrauding investors in Hollinger International.