HIH business associate Brad Cooper has applied to the NSW Supreme Court for leniency in his sentence after being found guilty of charges related to the collapse of the insurer.

The court is taking submissions on sentencing, and Mr Cooper says he has already paid back $2.5 million to the HIH liquidator.

Mr Cooper was found guilty last October on 13 charges and has been in custody in Sydney’s Silverwater jail ever since.

Prosecutor Lionel Robberds says the $2.5 million payment was not an act that could be used to apply for leniency because Mr Cooper initially fought against the liquidator on payments and “has not shown a substantial degree of sacrifice”.

A prison report given to the court noted that Mr Cooper reported using cocaine for nine months between 1983 and 1984 and again in 1998 and 1999. It also mentioned he is on a valium addiction program.