The court heard James Faulkner, 22, started using cannabis 12 months ago after breaking up with his girlfriend.

He was facing court on drugs and firearms charges, after police found cannabis plants, ammunition and the barrel of a rifle at the home where he lives with his mother.

Solicitor Roger Munday said his client’s attitude towards the offence was “not to associate with shady people” which was why he was growing the cannabis.

He said while Faulkner was foolish to grow the plants, he was only using them for personal use and not supplying.

Mr Munday said his client had received drug and alcohol counselling and had now ceased his drug use completely.

In relation to the firearms charges Mr Munday said Faulkner collected war memorabilia and was unaware the ammunition and weapons in his possession were prohibited without a licence.

Faulkner was sentenced in Armidale Local Court on Monday after he pleaded guilty to two charges of possessing a prohibited drug, possessing a prohibited plant, possessing ammunition without a permit, possessing a barrel of a firearm and possessing a prohibited weapon without a permit.

The court heard Faulkner had been on a bond for assault at the time of the offences. 

When sentencing Faulkner Magistrate Karen Stafford said the offences were severe enough to send him to jail, but she would give him one last chance as he had made steps towards rehabilitation.

Faulkner was placed on an 18-month good behaviour bond, fined $500 and given 100 hours community service for his drug offences, fined $2600 and given 100 hours of community service for the weapons offences.

He was also placed on a fresh bond for breaching his original one.