Liao Xiangzheng, former chief of police of Xiaogan, a city in central China's Hubei Province, was sentenced to 11 years in prison for corruption.

The verdict was issued by Wuhan City Intermediate People's Court.

Liao could not explain 4.82 million yuan (US$580,722) of his 6.48 million yuan (US$874,785) worth of property, the court said.

Liao, aged 51, is a former deputy mayor and police chief of Jingmen. While holding these offices from 1993 to 2003, he abused his posts and collected money illegally, according to the court.

Fifty thousand yuan of his property was confiscated, the court ruled.

(Xinhua News Agency February 27, 2005)