During opening statements, his lawyers told the jury that Cohen “cannot be trusted” and was “obsessed” with the idea of seeing “President Trump go to prison”.

Described as a former “mega fan” of Mr Trump, 77, Cohen landed a job with the real estate mogul and reality TV star in 2006 after impressing him with his ability to anticipate his needs.

Cohen’s career route to becoming the personal lawyer for a US president was far from orthodox.

A native of Long Island, New York, Cohen attended Western Michigan University’s Cooley Law School, which has since earned a reputation as one of the worst in America.

He worked as a personal injury lawyer for a time, but built his wealth buying and selling taxi medallions in New York’s murky taxi badge industry.

Later, as the personal lawyer to one of New York’s biggest real estate magnates, he handled business deals worth considerably more.

Cohen believed his remit extended beyond official business. “I’m the guy who stops the leaks. I’m the guy who protects the president and the family. I’m the guy who would take a bullet for the president,” he told Vanity Fair during Mr Trump’s first year in office.