The Court of Appeals in the Black Sea city of Bourgas will declare a new sentence on two-time ice skating world champion Maxim Staviski within a month from December 1 2008, Bulgarian news agency BTA said on December 1 2008.

Earlier in the year Staviski was handed a suspended sentence of two years and six months with five years' probation for causing the death of a young man and severe injuries to 19-year-old Manuela Gorsova, who is still in a coma.

On August 5 2007, Staviski crashed his Hummer vehicle into another vehicle on the road between Bourgas and Sozopol on the Black Sea coast. The court found him guilty of driving under the influence of alcohol, something which he has denied.

He was also ordered to pay 90 000 leva non-material damages and 4815 leva in material damages to the parents of the man who died.

The first sentence against Staviski, however, was objected to by prosecutors and the victims' relatives who asked for a more severe sentence. On October 27 2008 the Supreme Court of Cassation (SCC) decided to return his court case for re-trial. The SCC found that there were some irregularities during the court trial and that the case had to be re-tried and a harsher sentence imposed.

On December 1 2008 Staviski said he wished to remain free to continue working and make financial amends for the damage he has caused. He once again expressed his remorse and said he expected a fair court ruling.

His lawyers presented the court with bank orders stating that Staviski had paid a total of 210 00 leva for the treatment of Gorsova and to the parents of the young man, Petar Petrov, who died in the incident Petar Petrov.

Staviski came to Bulgaria from Russia where he had professional engagements in a popular TV ice skating show.