Disgraced former rugby league player Ryan Tandy has avoided jail time despite being found guilty of lying to the NSW Crime Commission about his role in the NRL betting scandal.
At his sentencing hearing in Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court on Friday morning, Tandy was sentenced to a six-month non-custodial sentence - to be served in the community under an Intensive Corrections Order (ICO).
It means the 30-year-old will serve a sentence which can include possible curfews, community service or strict supervision, all options which will be decided by the court.
Tandy was found guilty last month of giving false evidence in January 2011 to the Crime Commission about his betting activity and involvement in the attempted betting sting in the match involving the Bulldogs and Cowboys in August 2010.
The offence carries a maximum penalty of two years imprisonment and Magistrate Claire Farnan considered that as an option when Tandy was found guilty.
Only a plea from Tandy's senior counsellor Tony Ballanto to consider the ICO spared the former Bulldogs and Melbourne Storm forward from jail time.
He argued Tandy's career had now been 'irretrievably curtailed' by the case outcomes, making it almost impossible for him to resume a playing career.
"In terms of punishment, what has happened to him in this matter has been catastrophic," Bellanto said.
Tandy, who was also acquitted of two other charges relating to evidence he gave the Crime Commission in its investigation of match-fixing, will begin his sentence on January 20.
Tandy was also found guilty of match-fixing, fined $4000 and placed on a 12-month good behaviour bond for his role in attempting to interfere with the outcome of a game in the Bulldogs-Cowboys clash of which he is currently appealing.