The former Israeli president Moshe Katzav has been sentenced to seven years in prison for rape.

In a dramatic scene, the 65-year-old cried and screamed after learning of his fate, shouting that the charges against him were a lie and that the courts had “made a mistake”.

Mr Katzav, who resigned as president in 2007 amid the allegations of sexual assault, was found guilty on two counts of rape and other charges of sexual harassment in December.

The Iranian-born politican is the highest - ranking Israeli official to be sent to prison. He must also pay fines to two of his victims, amounting to nearly £20,000.

He is likely to challenge the ruling with an appeal, and the sentence does not begin until May 8 giving him time to do so.