Beijing, Sep 24 (IANS): A Chinese court Monday sentenced Wang Lijun, an ex-police chief at the heart of one of China's biggest political scandals, to 15 years in prison and deprived him of his political rights for one year after finding him guilty of bending the law for selfish ends, defection, abuse of power and bribe-taking.

Wang, the former vice mayor and police chief of southwest China's Chongqing municipality, was charged with several crimes and received a combined punishment for all offenses, according to a verdict announced by the Chengdu City Intermediate People's Court in southwest China's Sichuan province.

Xinhua news agency reported that Wang received seven years in prison for the charge of bending the law for selfish ends, two years in prison and deprivation of his political rights for one year for the charge of defection, two years in prison for the power abuse charge and nine years in prison for the charge of bribe-taking.

He received a combined punishment of 15 years in prison and deprivation of his political rights for one year.

Wang stated to the court that he would not appeal the sentence.

The court found that Nov 15, 2011, British national Neil Heywood was killed in his hotel room in Chongqing.

Despite knowing that Bogu Kailai, wife of a Chinese leader Bo Xilai, was a major suspect in Heywood's murder and having obtained important related evidence, Wang, then chief of Chongqing's Public Security Bureau, bent the law by selecting Guo Weiguo, then deputy chief of the bureau and a close friend of both Wang and Bogu Kailai, to take charge of the case.

Bo Xilai, a rising star on the Chinese political scene, was demoted from the country's powerful Communist Party politburo after police named his wife as a prime suspect in the murder of the British businessman.

Wang concealed from police the fact that Bogu Kailai had recounted her poisoning of Heywood to him and he also hid a recording of her recount.

Wang accepted Guo's verdict that Heywood had died from drinking too much, although facts ran contrary to Guo's claim. Wang also offered Bogu Kailai a video recording that showed her at the crime scene on the night of Heywood's death in an attempt to prevent her from being prosecuted, the Xinhua news agency report said.

After Wang had conflicts with Bogu Kailai, Wang told personnel at the Chongqing Public Security Bureau to re-collect, sort through and carefully keep the evidence from Heywood's case. Wang also provided them with the recording in which Bogu Kailai admitted poisoning Heywood.

On Feb 7, 2012, Wang reported to authorities that Bogu Kailai was suspected of intentionally killing Heywood and offered relevant evidence and materials. Police re-investigated and cracked the case.

In early February 2012, Wang's positions and duties were adjusted and his close aides were illegally interrogated.

Feeling that he was in danger, Wang entered the US Consulate General in Chengdu without permission Feb 6 and asked the US for political asylum. He left the US diplomatic mission of his own volition Feb 7 after being persuaded by China.