A JAIL sentence could kill failed British born entrepreneur, Alan Bond, who is awaiting sentencing for fraud involving a French impressionist painting, his lawyers told an Australian court today.

"Without wishing to overstate the matter, we are convinced that a term in prison may kill Mr Bond or substantially injure his health," Mr Julian Burnside said in his submission to the Western Australian District Court in Perth.

Bond, who became a national hero in 1983 for winning the America's Cup yachting trophy, faces a maximum of 14 years in jail after being found guilty of fraud involving the painting La Promenade by Edouard Manet.

Judge Antoinette Kennedy is now considering her sentence.