Cameron Diaz photographer is sentenced to almost four years of imprisonment for trying to sell topless photos of the actress.

The Cameraman John Rutter, who was convicted in July this year on charges of forgery, attempted grand theft and perjury, has been jailed for three years and eight months.

The 42-year-old took the raunchy shots of the blonde actress when she was an unknown 19-year-old model. He approached her with the photos and tried to sell them back to her for three million dollars. He also threatened the actress to buy the pix, or else he would sell them to the highest bidder. Cameron contacted the police, who arrested Rutter after a sting operation.

In Los Angeles court, Rutter asked Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor for probation, saying that the case was a misunderstanding and that he had never intended to harm Diaz.

“I deeply regret the perception that I had done wrong. I never intended any harm…It’s a shame this whole mess ever happened,” Rutter was quoted as saying to the judge.

The judge, however, rejected Rutter’s plea and ordered him to do 44 months in state prison, stating that his actions in the Diaz situation involved definite criminal sophistication.

The judge said: “Mr. Rutter did take advantage of a position of confidence that Miss Diaz had in Mr. Rutter.”I find Mr. Rutter is not remorseful. He is not a suitable candidate for probation.”

In July, during her testimony, Diaz had acknowledged posing bare-breasted more than a decade ago, but maintained that she never signed a release for the photos and insisted that the signature on Rutter’s document was a forgery - a finding that was substantiated by forensic experts in court.

The ‘Charlie’s Angels’ beauty was not in court to hear the verdict, but said later in a statement, “Although I wish that this unfortunate situation hadn’t occurred in the first place, I am very gratified that justice has been served.”

Diaz and Rutter still have to square off in a civil case related to the photos. Trial in that matter is scheduled for Feb. 15, 2006.