A naval officer convicted of seven acts of indecency against a young female sailor has been sentenced to 18 months in jail but could be out in 12.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
John Bruce Jones has also been reduced in rank by one level from lieutenant commander to lieutenant and is to be dismissed from the navy.
He has also been fined $2000 for attempting to destroy a navy lap top that contained spanking pornography images.
Jones was found guilty of repeatedly spanking the young sailor, sometimes on her bare buttocks and without her consent, between February and October 2010.
Jones, who was taken to Duntroon for medical assessment after sentencing at the ADF's Fyshwick Court Martial Centre, is to be held at the military detention centre at Holsworthy in Sydney until the automatic review of his court martial has been completed.
His dismissal, effectively a dishonourable discharge, will take effect once the review is complete.
The Canberra Times was told the review would likely be expedited given he is in custody.
He can apply to be released on condition he enters into a bond to be of good behavior for six months after serving 12 months of his 18 month sentence.
The Court Martial panel took just over six hours to deliver its sentences on the eight charges.
Jones has the right to appeal the verdict and the sentences.