A recovering drug addict was given a conditional discharge after he was found with a metal spoon and a syringe.

Damion Smith, 40, of Bulkhead Drive, Warwick, pleaded guilty to a single count of possessing drug equipment.

According to Crown counsel Nicole Smith, the items were found on the defendant after he was arrested on November 23 in connection to another matter.

Tests of the items found trace amounts of diamorphine, commonly known as heroin, on the spoon.

Appearing in Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, the defendant admitted having the items for the purpose of using drugs, but said the arrest scared him straight and said he is now three months sober.

“I have been struggling with this for quite some time,” he said. “This arrest was the slap in the face of reality. It was because of this I decided to give it up.”

Asked by Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner if he was involved in any sort of treatment plan, the defendant responded that he quit cold turkey, but would be willing to submit to a drug test.

Noting that Smith has not been convicted for an offence in 15 years, Mr Warner released the defendant with a 12-month conditional discharge.