Nathan David Regattieri, 34, of Comito Close, Avoca Beach, did not appear in Bathurst Local Court to answer a charge of possessing ammunition without holding a licence, authority or permit.

The court heard that police were called to Bathurst Correctional Centre on June 5 this year following a tip-off that Regattieri was visiting an inmate and planning to take drugs into the jail.

When Regattieri attempted to enter the prison, staff informed him that both he and his motor vehicle would be searched.

Upon searching the car prison staff located five unspent shotgun cartridges in the boot.

Police introduced themselves to the accused before arresting and cautioning him in relation to the shotgun cartridge.

Regattieri agreed with police that prison officers had found the cartridges and admitted to police he did not have a firearms licence.

When asked how the cartridges came to be in his boot he told officers “no comment”,

Further investigations by police confirmed he did not have a firearms licence. Regattieri was convicted and fined $1000.