CAMERON DIAZ - PHOTOGRAPHER IN DIAZ TOPLESS PHOTO CASE SENTENCED

The photographer convicted of trying to sell topless pictures of CAMERON DIAZ after forging her signature on a contract was sentenced to nearly four years in prison today (15SEP05).

JOHN RUTTER, who prosecutors accused of trying to blackmail Diaz for $3 million (GBP1.6 million) over the bondage-themed snapshots taken before she was famous, was found guilty in July (05) of attempted grand theft, forgery and perjury.

Rutter, 43, had asked Los Angeles Superior Court Judge MICHAEL PASTOR for probation, saying that the case was a misunderstanding and that he had never intended Diaz any harm.

The photographer, who faced a maximum term of five years behind bars, was sentenced to three years and eight months in prison.

Rutter testified at the trial that he believed Diaz's signature on a model release was genuine and that he wanted to give her the chance to keep the 1992 photos out of circulation.

During her testimony, Diaz acknowledged posing for the snapshots when she was a 19-year-old model looking to break into Hollywood, but said she never signed a released and felt betrayed when Rutter tried to sell her the pictures in 2003.

Diaz was not in court for Rutter's sentencing.