Two-time world figure skating champion Maxim Staviiski received two years and six months suspended sentence, with a five-year probation period, for causing the death of a man and seriously injuring a second person in a road accident on August 5 2007, while under the influence of alcohol.

Staviiski pleaded guilty to all charges on January 30, with the Bourgas district court sentencing him on the same day, Focus news agency reported.

The prosecution had earlier asked for a two and half years effective imprisonment sentence and case prosecutor Anger Georgiev refused to rule out an appeal, saying he would read the judges' opinion before making a decision.

The court also ruled that the family of Petar Petrov, who died in the accident, was to be paid 90 000 leva in damages. The family of Manuela Gorsova, who remains in coma, was to receive 80 000 leva. Her attorney demanded compensations of two million leva.

The plaintiffs said they would appeal the verdict, which they can do in the next 15 days.

Staviiski has had his driving license suspended for four years, starting with the date of the car crash, and was sentenced to pay the court expenses incurred by the families of the victims.