Police chief sentenced in Sarah Jessica Parker baby case

LOS ANGELES - An Ohio police chief was sentenced to nearly three years in prison for stealing items from the surrogate mother who carried twin daughters for actress Sarah Jessica Parker and her husband Matthew Broderick, media reports said.

Martin’s Ferry Police Chief Barry Carpenter, 40, was accused of stealing poems, photos, legal documents about the surrogacy agreement, and pictures of ultrasounds from the mother and attempting to sell them to paparazzi.

According to People magazine, Parker was sentenced to two years eight months in jail from an Ohio judge. His attorney said the ruling would be appealed.

A jury in November found Carpenter guilty of receiving stolen property, theft in office and tampering with evidence. However he was acquitted on two counts of burglary and one count of unauthorised use of property or services.

Carpenter faced up to 10 years in prison. His alleged accomplice, Bridgeport Police Chief Chad M. Dojack, 29, will stand trial in January.

The judge gave Carepenter a lenient sentence because he had served the public well and kept local order for 17 years before his charges of theft arose, The New York Times reported Thursday.