Adam Ormiston, 36, of Whitehead Court, pleaded guilty in the Warrnambool Magistrates Court at the end of January to breaching an intervention order just weeks after being released from serving a six-month jail term.

Ormiston spent three months in Galiamble Men's Recovery Centre at St Kilda and magistrate Peter Mellas received a glowing report on Monday.

​The magistrate congratulated Ormiston on the work he had put in getting his life back on track.

Or​miston, who has a history of violence and substance abuse, said he now knew a lot more about himself and he was committed to making changes in his life.​

​​Mr Mellas said while Ormiston had done an enormous amount of work he had to be aware that there would be days when things didn't work out.

Ormiston was convicted and palced on a 12-month good behaviour bond.

​When Ormiston was sent to rehab the magistrate told him he feared the accused would leave the residential care facility after a couple of days. 

​Mr Mellas said many people who took drugs and enjoyed “the drug lifestyle” could not “hack” being drug free, ​or ​given direction, being away from home and away from their friends. 

He said people often "cracked it" and walked out.

​ Ormiston agreed it was time for him to grow up and look after his children.

He said he had separated from his wife, but a new relationship led to friction.

Ormiston breached an intervention order when he went to a Dennington home. He said his former wife had invited him to see their children but they argued and she called police.

​ The magistrate told Ormiston if he kept offending, the court would have no choice but to jail him again.