The disgraced former Italian Prime Minister was yesterday convicted of tax fraud and sentenced to 4 years in prison, later reduced to 1 year.

Media reports say Mr Berlusconi will appeal the sentence, saying he is a victim of “intolerable judicial harassment”, from the left leaning judges in Milan.

Berlusconi left office last year admit the growing sexual scandal around his infamous bunga bunga parties, where it is alleged he had sex with an underage prostitute. The trial in this case continues.

The 76 year old media model, received a suspended sentence in 1996 over false book-keeping, that conviction was later reversed on appeal.

Some had tipped Berlusconi to return to political office.