Australian whistleblower who exposed war crimes allegations is jailed

Justice David Mossop ordered McBride to serve 27 months in prison before he can be considered for release on parole

Whistleblower David McBride has been jailed ( Mick Tsikas/AAP/AP)

A former Australian army lawyer has been jailed for leaking to the media classified information that exposed allegations of Australian war crimes in Afghanistan.

David McBride, 60, was sentenced at a court in the capital, Canberra, to five years and eight months in prison after pleading guilty to three charges including theft and sharing with members of the press documents classified as secret. He had faced a potential life sentence.