Before Mike Tyson was sentenced in a Maryland courthouse yesterday his lawyer, Paul Kemp, said: "If he gets jail time for even one day, he is finished. He is done."

The verdict when it came meant his worst fears may now be played out. Montgomery County district judge Stephen Johnson sentenced the former heavyweight boxing champion to a year in jail for assaulting two motorists after a minor traffic accident. The jail sentence could torpedo Tyson's attempt at a comeback by jeopardising his boxing licence with the Nevada State Athletic Commission and risking a parole violation that could mean four more years in an Indiana prison.

Tyson can appeal the judge's sentence or ask for a jury trial, but could face a 20-year jail term if he was convicted. He was sentenced to two years in jail on each charge of assault - to run concurrently - but one year each was suspended, leaving Tyson a year to serve.

Johnson also ordered Tyson to undergo two years of probation upon release and to pay all fines and costs. He also ordered Tyson to perform 200 hours of community service.

Marino Capurro, spokesman for Showtime, the cable network that has a multiple-fight contract with Tyson, said: "We are surprised at the severity of the sentence that the Montgomery County District Court has issued to Mike Tyson. We cannot comment further at this time."

It was not clear how the commission would react to the sentence.

Jim Jimmerson, Tyson's lead attorney at the Nevada hearing, said the panel had several options - including a fine and-or a suspension or revocation of his licence.

"I think the sentence is totally and completely unexpected and unduly harsh," Jimmerson said. "There's going to be a careful review of his options, including perhaps requesting a new trial in Maryland."

Tyson stood dumbfounded between his two attorneys as he heard the sentence, then was led away in handcuffs. His wife, Monica, bowed her head, and as the sentence was imposed an audible groan of disappointment swept the courtroom.

Assistant States attorney Carol Crawford said that since Tyson pleaded no contest to the charges he could be eligible to leave the county jail for a pre-release centre after serving five to six months of his sentence.

Tyson was sentenced for punching a 62-year-old driver in the jaw and kicking a 50-year-old man in the groin after a Mercedes driven by his wife was hit from behind in a chain-reaction accident in a Washington suburb.