WESLEY SNIPES - SNIPES BAILED AHEAD OF TAX APPEAL

Hollywood actor Wesley Snipes has been granted bail as he appeals against his conviction for tax offences.

Last month Blade star Snipes was sentenced to three years in prison when he failed to file income tax returns between 1999 and 2001.

His legal team claims there were discrepancies in the prosecution's case and, in arguments for his bail, said he was unlikely to flee and had arranged a meeting with the internal revenue service (IRS) next week.

Lawyers added that their client posed no threat to the public.

District judge William Terrell Hodges described the arguments as "dubious" but agreed to bail the 45-year-old until June 3rd nevertheless.

In April Snipes was convicted of deliberately failing to file his tax returns, despite earning £38 million.

But he was cleared of more serious fraud and conspiracy charges.