Oliver Curtis sentenced to a year in jail

OLIVER CURTIS SENTENCED:

WHO

* Oliver Peter Curtis, 30, former Sydney investment banker. Married to publicist Roxy Jacenko.

CHARGES

* Curtis convicted of an insider trader scheme worth $1.43 million, carried out with high-school friend John Hartman.

* Trial heard Curtis made 45 trades to a profit of $1.433 million based on confidential information, given to him by former Orion Asset Management employee and high-school friend John Hartman, between May 2007 and June 2008.

* Curtis also bought Hartman a new Mini Cooper and motorbike worth $80,000 and transferred him $50,000.

* Proceeds also used to pay for a holiday with friends in Whistler and Las Vegas.

ARREST

* Curtis's partner in crime Hartman served 15 months' jail after pleading guilty to a number of insider trading offences, and agreeing to turn crown witness against his former friend.

* Hartman received a discount for assisting Curtis' prosecution.

TRIAL

* Crown prosecutor David Staehli SC said Hartman, who told brokers what to trade on behalf of Orion, would send Curtis messages directing him to buy or sell a particular number of Contracts for Difference (CFDs) on a particular company's stock at specific times.

* Once the guilty verdict came down, Curtis's legal team argued he'd already paid a heavy price for his offending.

* Many family and friends gave references relating to the good character of Curtis, urging the judge to impose a non-custodial sentence.

JUDGMENT

* In handing down the punishment, Justice Lucy McCallum said the profits from the conspiracy were used to "fund a lifestyle of conspicuous extravagance".

SENTENCE

* Two years' jail, to be released on recognisance after one year.