A FORMER Newent-based journalist has been convicted of the murder of a French film producer in Ireland more than 20 years ago.

A court in Paris convicted Ian Bailey in his absence for the murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier in 1996.

The 62-year-old who now lives in County Cork, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison.

His solicitor, Frank Buttimer, said the decision was a “grotesque miscarriage of justice”.

Presiding judge Frederique Aline listed all the evidence presented to the court during the trial, saying there was “significant evidence” of Bailey’s guilt.

She jailed Bailey for 25 years a sentence that was met with a respectful silence followed by emotional scenes among Ms Toscan du Plantier’s family.

The judge also ordered that a new arrest warrant be issued.

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