Michael Phelps gets suspended jail sentence after pleading guilty to drink-driving

Michael Phelps arrives in court on Friday

American swimmer Michael Phelps has been given a one-year suspended prison sentence after pleading guilty to drink-driving. The 18-time Olympic gold medallist was also sentenced to 18 months of supervised probation.

The most decorated sportsperson in the history of The Olympic Games, this is the second time Phelps has been arrested for driving under influence of alcohol. He has also been sentenced to a 18-month supervised probation period, during which time he must totally abstain from drinking alcohol.

Phelps was stopped in Baltimore in September this year for speeding after being caught going at 84mph (135km/h) in a 45mph zone. The record-holder claims that he has learnt from his mistakes after a 45-day spell in a rehabilitation clinic.

Have learnt from mistakes: Phelps

"During my 45-day programme, I was able to find out a lot about myself that I never knew," he told reporters.

“I made a bad mistake. I'm looking forward to having a much brighter future than I had in the past,"

Phelps retired after winning his 22nd Olympic medal at the London Games in 2012 but came out of retirement in a sensational manner earlier this year. He was given a six-month ban from competitive swimming after the arrest, but continues to train. Probation allows the most decorated Olympian ever to focus on training for the 2016 Games in Rio De Janeiro, which would be his fifth Olympic outing.