Magistrate Mark Douglass told the 22-year-old, of Berrima Parade, Surfside, that it was “disappointing” to see him back before the court.

“I thought your time in custody would have been a deterrent,” he said.

Police told the court that information received on November 6 led them to a house in Panorama Parade, Moruya, where the defendant showed police officers through the premises, which showed no obvious signs of cannabis cultivation.

On an inspection of the garage/bedroom, the officers could smell a strong odour of the illicit drug.

McCourt told police he had smoked a bong just before they arrived, and handed them a glass bong from beside his bed.

His co-operation with police was noted with favour by Mr Douglass, who convicted him on both charges, placed him on a 10-month section 9 bond with an order to attend counselling for his drug addiction, and imposed the fine.

“This is an opportunity – take it,” he advised Mr McCourt.