Jockey Ben Melham has been disqualified by the Victorian Racing Tribunal for five months after being found guilty of having bet on thoroughbred races.
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Melham, 32, who is originally from Ballarat, was given a three-month sentence for betting and another two months for having provided false information to stewards. His ban will end on May 23.
The VRT found Melham guilty on four charges consisting of three for illegal betting and one of giving false information.
Melham was disqualified for three months on his second charge, which related to him depositing $3000 in his partner Karlie Dales' TAB account and placing a series of bets worth $36,000.
He was also disqualified for two other separate betting charges but they will be served concurrently with the three-month ban.
The two-month penalty for giving false information was added to the three months Melham incurred for betting.
His guilty plea was taken into account in the penalty.