An Australian military court sent an erring naval officer to jail after finding him guilty of exercising undue authority over a female sailor he subjected to a humiliating discipline routine.

Quoting court martial panel president Captain Michael Hickey, ABC News reported that Lieutenant Commander John Alan Jones has been adjudged abusive of his authority over a hapless subordinate, who was tormented by the form of discipline inflicted on her by the senior naval officer.

Hickey said that Jones' behaviour amounted to indecency when he took advantage of his authority over the female sailor, which the court declined to name to protect her privacy, thus damaging the women's reputation.

The victim, court records showed, accused Jones of hitting her bare buttocks while she was lying on his lap, an act that the officer claimed was meant to instil discipline on the young sailor when she was under his command.

The two served in a navy supply ship last year, the same period in which the incidents occurred a number of times, the victim said.

Jones argued before the court panel that his actuations were motivated by helming a disciplined sailor in the young woman, serving as "test to see how disciplined and compliant you were going to be," which the victim said were the officer's exact words as proved by the secret recordings she provided to the court martial.

Prosecutors informed the court that Jones had admitted committing a number of mistakes during his time as a superior of the female sailor but insisted too that all that transpired were consensual and far from being indecent.

The victim, however, belied the Jones' testimony and stressed that she was forced to follow Jones out of fear, adding that the harrowing experience left her to deal with nightmares for some time.

Found guilty of seven counts of indecency without consent, the court ordered Jones to serve 18 months behind bars at an army base plus a fine of $2000 for attempting to destroy a laptop that the navy issued to him, purportedly to hide incriminating evidences.

Jones will also be dismissed from the Navy without rank though the court panel had clarified that the decision can still be appealed, with possibility of being overturned.

The senior officer is also eligible for an early release, in case officials endorsed for displaying good behaviour while in custody by at least 12 months.