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Former New York City police chief Bernard Kerik, hailed as a hero after the 9/11 attacks, has been sentenced to four years in jail.

Kerik pleaded guilty in November to eight charges, including lying to the White House and tax evasion.

He lied while being vetted for the post of homeland security chief in 2004.

Federal judge Stephen Robinson said the fact that Kerik, 54, used the attacks for "personal gain and aggrandisement" was "a dark place in the soul for me".

Kerik's admissions in November were part of a plea bargain which helped him avoid a maximum potential sentence of up to 61 years in jail.

But the judge still went beyond the sentence of between 27 and 33 months recommended by prosecutors. - BBC