Japan court hands down suspended sentence to cocaine consuming Oz golfer

CHIBA - Australian golfer Wayne Perske has been given a suspended sentence for possessing and using cocaine

A Japanese court has handed down the suspended sentence. Masaaki Ono, an official at the Chiba District Court, said the 36-year-old Queenslander received a jail term of 18 months, suspended for three years.

Perske was arrested in October after inhaling cocaine at a bar in Chiba, east of Tokyo, and carrying some 1.25 grams of cocaine in his pocket.

A customer at the bar alerted police, leading officers to search and arrest him.

Japan has strict anti-drug laws. Possession of banned drugs can carry a penalty of up to seven years imprisonment.

Perske turned professional in 2000, having been a member of the winning Australian team at the 1999 Asia Pacific Team Championship.

Perske joined the tour in 2003 but lost his card after just 10 events. (ANI)