Wife of former Cabinet minister facing jail (From Wandsworth Guardian)

Wife of former Cabinet minister facing jail

5:30pm Friday 8th March 2013 in News

The ex-wife of former Cabinet minister Chris Huhne is facing the prospect of jail after being convicted of perverting the course.

Vicky Pryce, 60, from Clapham, claimed her ex-husband had forced her to take speeding points he received after being caught by a speed camera on the M11 in 2003 near Stansted Airport.

Yesterday's verdict followed a retrial after a jury failed to reach a decision in an earlier trial last month.

Pryce was found guilty at Southwark Crown Court.

Huhne, 58, pleaded guilty to the same offence last month sparking his resignation as Liberal Democrat MP for Eastleigh, in Hampshire, and triggering a by-election.

Official sentencing guidelines on the Crown Prosecution Service's website state that concealing evidence, under a charge of perverting the course of justice, is punishable with a prison sentence of between four months and 18 months.

The length of the sentence could increase because Mr Huhne, who initially vowed to fight the charge, did not plead guilty at the first opportunity.

Pryce could also face a lengthy sentence because she did not admit the charged and forced a trial.

Both Pryce and Huhne will be sentenced at a later, and as yet unknown, date.