Conrad Black, the British peer who at the height of his power controlled one of the world’s biggest media empires, was on Friday night facing up to 35 years in jail after being convicted of fraud and obstruction of justice.

The Canada-born former publisher of the Telegraph titles in the UK and the Chicago Sun-Times, dressed in a beige linen suit and flanked by his wife Barbara Amiel Black and daughter Alana, sat stonefaced as the verdict was read out. He did not look at his daughter or wife, but passed a note to Lady Black, minutes after he learned of his fate. Lord Black later left the courthouse holding hands with his wife and daughter.