High profile Australian Broadcasting Corporation foreign correspondent Peter Lloyd has lost his freedom, and his job, after being caught with the drug ice in Singapore.
Singapore's Subordinate Court Judge Hamidah Ibrahim on Tuesday jailed Lloyd for a total of 10 months, after he pleaded guilty to three charges.
A court official said the sentence would be effective immediately, unless Lloyd lodged an appeal against the sentence.
The guilty plea and sentence -- two concurrent eight-month terms for consumption and possession, and two months for possession of drug paraphernalia -- followed Singapore's recent decision to drop heavier trafficking charges, which carried up to 20 years imprisonment and up to 15 strokes of the cane.
Lloyd's lawyer Hamidul Haq told the judge Lloyd had used the drug methamphetamine to self-medicate for a severe post-traumatic stress disorder, which he developed while reporting on conflicts and natural disasters in Asia.
Lloyd had suffered nightmares and depression, Haq said.
"In a dissociated state, he resorted to drugs," Haq said.
"He was acting like a different person." His legal team also reportedly urged the court that Lloyd not be separated for long from his ill child in Australia.
Lloyd hugged his estranged wife Kirsty McIvor, before being handcuffed and led away by police.
The ABC's South Asia Correspondent was arrested in July after being caught by police with a small amount of methamphetamine, or ice, while he was on leave from his Dehli posting.
The ABC said the conviction meant Lloyd's distinguished career at the national broadcaster was now over.
"Peter Lloyd has been sentenced to 10 months in prison in Singapore today on drug-related charges, and as such the ABC's employment relationship with Peter has come to an end," an ABC Corporate spokeswoman said in a statement.
"This is due to the fact that Peter is unavailable to work.
"The ABC has valued and respected Peter as an employee and as an outstanding journalist who is widely admired by colleagues and industry peers."
The broadcaster spent more than $A65,000 ($NZ80,000) on initial legal support, counselling and related travel expenses since Lloyd's arrest earlier this year.
The prosecution rejected the argument that Lloyd turned to drugs because of the stress disorder, saying the television reporter knew right from wrong.
"Though he may have been using drugs to cope with post-traumatic stress disorder, it is not a justification or good excuse," prosecutor Natalie Morris said.
Outside the court, a Singapore legal expert said the sentence was in line with similar recent cases.
"I think that's about right," Shashi Nathan, of Harry Elias Partnership, said.
"It's quite consistent with precedent cases in Singapore." Lloyd has 10 days in which to appeal the sentence.
His lawyer later said he had not yet received any instructions on any appeal, and could not comment on the case.
