Tiger Woods impersonator jailed for 200 years

A man who stole Tiger Woods's identity to steal $17,000 has been jailed for 200 years.

Anthony Lemar Taylor was given the 200-years-to-life sentence under California's tough 'three strikes and out' rules.

He was convicted in Sacramento of falsely obtaining a driver's licence under the name of Eldrick T. Woods by using the golfer's social security number and birth date.

Taylor, 30, used the false id to get a bogus credit card. He went on a $17,000 (£11,000) spending spree and bought a 70-inch TV and a luxury car.

Judge Michael Virga gave Taylor the maximum sentence under California's three-strikes law.

James Greiner, Taylor's lawyer, said the 200-year term is tantamount to a death sentence and should be reserved for those who injure or kill someone.

He urged Virga to sentence Taylor to the minimum 19 years, arguing Taylor's prior crimes have involved theft.

Russ Detrick, prosecuting, said the state's three-strikes law was written for criminals like Taylor. He has been convicted of 20 offences over 17 years.

Greiner accused prosecutors of using Woods's celebrity status to convict Taylor of eight theft and two perjury counts.

"The prosecution had a theory ... to bring Mr. Tiger Woods in here and create a celebrity case and ride that celebrity status to convict Mr. Taylor," Mr Greiner said.