A three-judge panel in Peru convicted already jailed ex-president Alberto Fujimori on Thursday for funnelling more than £26 million in public funds to tabloid newspapers.

They sentenced him to eight years in prison and fined him £662,000.

The sentence will run concurrently with the stiffest he has received — 25 years for murder over the military death-squad killings of 25 people.

He has additional convictions for corruption and abuse of power.

Mr Fujimori claimed that the money he was convicted of diverting had been used to build airstrips and medical posts in towns “infiltrated by the Shining Path” rebel movement.

After sentencing, he said: “I don’t agree with the sentence — in no way. I am going to appeal.”

Witnesses said Mr Fujimori personally dictated headlines for the tabloids, calling his opponents crazy, communists and homosexuals.