WASHINGTON, Jan 19: A US district court on Friday sentenced a former Republican lawmaker to 30 months in prison for accepting gifts in return for political favours. Congressman Bob Ney will be on probation for two years after his term. He must pay a $6,000 fine and undergo counselling.

Mr Ney, 52, pleaded guilty on Oct 13 to conspiracy and making false statements. He admitted receiving money and gifts from Jack Abramoff, a former lobbyist who represented several foreign governments in Washington.

Mr Abramoff also lobbied for Pakistan in the 1990s to help overturn sanctions imposed after a dispute over Islamabad’s nuclear programme.

In 1997, he led a Congressional delegation to Pakistan but failed to tell the lawmakers that he was a registered lobbyist for the government of Pakistan.

US District Judge Ellen Segal Huvelle told Mr Ney his sentence was longer than the prosecution had recommended because he had violated the public trust.

“You have seriously betrayed the public's trust. You have a long way to go to make amends for what's happened,” she said.

Mr Ney had faced a maximum of 10 years in prison and a $500,000 fine for one count each of conspiracy and making false statements, though prosecutors recommended a sentence of only 27 months.

The Ohio Republican said an addiction to alcohol affected his judgment, spurring him to improperly accept gifts such as a lavish Scottish golfing trip from Mr Abramoff.

Judge Huvelle said his alcoholism was no excuse but barred him from drinking alcohol during his probation and ordered him to follow an alcohol rehabilitation programme while he serves his sentence in federal prison.

Earlier, Mr Ney told the judge that he was full of sorrow for how his actions had affected his family and friends.