Stewart sentenced to five months in prison

The judge could have sentenced her to a maximum of 16 months. Stewart, 62, who has stepped down as an officer and board member of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, was found guilty in March of conspiracy, making false statements and obstruction of agency proceedings.

Following the sentencing, shares of her company soared 20 per cent to $US10.37 on the New York Stock Exchange.

The judge also sentenced Stewart to two years of supervised release and ordered her to pay a fine of $US30,000 ($41,635).