A MAN found in the Apollo Estate with "deal bags" of crystal methamphetamine has been placed on an eight-month good behaviour bond in Dubbo Local Court.
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Bradley Vandermaal pleaded guilty to possessing the prohibited drug (commonly known as ice) when he appeared before Magistrate Andrew Eckhold.
The court heard the 22-year-old bakery labourer was stopped and searched after he came to police attention on October 11.
Vandermaal had previously appeared in court on a charge of driving under the influence of a drug. On that occasion, he was assessed as suitable to participate in the Magistrate's Early Referral Into Treatment (MERIT) drug and alcohol program. Vandermaal's solicitor said his mother was concerned about him.
The solicitor asked for a good behaviour bond with supervision.
Magistrate Eckhold asked Vandermaal if he knew what he was doing to his brain.
"Crystal methamphetamine is a very dangerous drug - the maximum penalty for possession is two years in jail,'' the magistrate said.
"A scale was found in your car. You were very lucky not to have been charged with a more serious offence.
"You need to be very careful. You will develop a dependency to the drug, if you haven't already.
"To fund your drug use you will turn to crime. In the case of ice, the crime is often very violent.
"You are said to be a gentle, reclusive person but bad things happen to people who get involved with ice.''
The good behaviour bond will be supervised by the probation and parole service.
Magistrate Eckhold ordered the drug seized by police to be destroyed.
