Glen Jones, 39, was not in court on Monday, when he was convicted of driving with an illicit drug in his system by Armidale magistrate Michael Holmes.

The self-employed electrician was in the drug and rehabilitation unit Freeman House, after admitting himself earlier this month.

In Jones’ absence, Magistrate Holmes heard the defendant had been stopped for a random breath test while driving in Armidale on February 25.

Testing by police officers found a quantity of methamphetamine, or ice, in his blood.

“After that, my client realised he had a problem and sought help,” defence solicitor Frank Falcomata said.

“He is a self-employed electrician, earning about $70,000 a year; a family man with a wife and three children.”

Magistrate Holmes said it had been a “good thing” Jones had checked himself into rehab.