Sully Behmer, 20, of Orton Road, pleaded guilty in the Warrnambool Magistrates Court this week to possession a firearm.

He was not convicted and placed on a six-month good behaviour bond with the condition he contribute $400 to the court fund.

Police visited a Cobden address at 5.20pm on January 24 and searched a caravan. 

They found a .22 rifle wrapped in a beach towel which had previously been stolen from a Cobden district property.

A solicitor told the court that at the time there had been a number of suicides in the Cobden district and his client’s friend was having suicidal thoughts and suffered depression.

Behmer has nine pages of prior court appearances. 

Magistrate John Lesser said he “didn’t want a gun floating around in the community”, although he accepted Behmer did not have any ill intent. 

However, he should have handed the gun in to police.

He said he was pleased Behmer had gained employment and now had a young family.

n Anyone considering self-harm should contact Lifeline on 131114.