FBI's Most Damaging Spy Gets Life Sentence

Robert Hanssen, one of the most damaging traitors in US history, apologised for 20 years of selling secrets to Moscow yesterday as he was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

The former FBI agent avoided the death penalty by pleading guilty to 15 counts of spying, and agreeing to cooperate with counter-intelligence investigators.

The plea bargain had been in question until yesterday's 10-minute hearing as investigators questioned the accuracy of the testimony provided by Hanssen, 58. But the FBI agreed with defence lawyers that he had cooperated sufficiently to avoid execution. As part of the plea deal, Hanssen's wife will be allowed to draw on his $40,000 annual FBI pension.

"I apologize for my behaviour. I am shamed by it," Hanssen, dressed in green prison overalls, told the court in Alexandria, Virginia. "I have opened the door for calumny against my totally innocent wife and children. I have hurt so many deeply."

The scale of Hanssen's betrayal has embarrassed the FBI, which failed to act on several warnings that he might be a spy - one from Hanssen's brother-in-law. He is believed to have received about $600,000 in cash and diamonds, guarantees that $800,000 had been deposited in a Russian bank on his family's behalf and two Rolex watches.