It emerged that Taylor had only visited the property in Oxford ? which is home to his step-nephew Robert Taylor ? twice and never stayed a night.
When challenged by the media, he said he was living with his elderly mother, who had actually died several years earlier.
Giving evidence, the peer insisted he was told by several other peers that claiming expenses you didn?t necessarily own was part of the remuneration system.
Mohammed Khamisa QC, defending, had pleaded for a suspended sentence due to the fact his client was a powerful ?role model? to young black people.
He said the former barrister had dedicated his life to public service and had given up several ?lucrative? financial contracts to be a member of the House of Lords in 1996.
?He isn?t motivated by money, glory, pomposity, arrogance or greed.
?He is described as a humble gentleman who for most of his life has dedicated himself to public services.?
Mr Khamisa said his client had a series of good character references from lawyers, members of the public, as well as three peers.
He said several senior figures from the church had stepped forward to vouch for Taylor, while the Speaker?s chaplain had begged the court for ?mercy?.
The barrister said his client had battled racism throughout his life, but had been determined to stay in public life.
Describing the effect of his expenses, Mr Khamisa said: ?He is a man of previous good character who has made a single, monumental error of judgement which has destroyed his life, a life which was otherwise a distinguished life.?
After sentencing, a spokesman from Taylor?s solicitors said: ?Lord Taylor is distraught with the sentence but fully accepts the court?s decision.
?Upon his release he will continue to serve the public, as he has done for the past 20 years, with the charitable organisations he has worked for.?
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