Marcus Anthony Jessop, 20, pleaded guilty to possessing methamphetamine (ice), driving while disqualified, two counts of stealing, and four counts of car theft.

Court documents said Jessop's most recent offence occured on the night of December 6, when he was found in possession of $300 worth of ice in Batemans Bay.

However, his crimes extended back to May, when he was caught driving with a suspended licence in Moruya.

In September, Jessop swiped three nine-carat gold rings with diamonds, one plain gold wedding ring, a wallet, torch and a set of car keys before stealing four cars – a Ford Laser, Holden Frontera, Peugeot and Toyota Camry.

In Bega Local Court on Tuesday, December 19, Jessop entered guilty pleas to each of the charges.

In sentencing Jessop, Magistrate Doug Dick warned him to stay away from ice and to “start listening”.

“There’s no future in it, stay away,” Magistrate Dick said, referring to the insidious drug.

“I’m also the Coroner and I have dealt with some very horrific ice deaths. 

“One was a man who locked himself in his room and stabbed himself to death. Another was a young lady who tried to cut out her own heart.

“Start listening. This is your last chance to do the right thing and stay out of jail.”

Magistrate Dick said Jessop had been assessed as suitable for an intensive corrections order (ICO), “but with reservations”. 

The corrective services officer in the court said they were seriously considering using a tracking bracelet or anklet in addition to other elements of supervision.

On the drug possession, Jessop was fined $600. For driving while disqualified he had his 12-month suspended sentence revoked and was re-sentenced to a further 12-month suspended sentence.

For the car thefts and larceny he was sentenced to 18 months’ jail, with both sentences to be served by way of the ICO.

The order includes a mandatory 32 hours of community service a month as well as the potential for random searches and drug and alcohol testing.