Dion Younger had gone to the Bacchus Marsh police station on June 15 "seeking accommodation" and was arrested after police noticed he had an outstanding warrant, according to a police summary read out in court.

The Ballarat Magistrates' Court was told Younger had a bag of 17 Xanax tablets and three bags with 4g of methamphetamine hidden on his person, found when he was searched in the cells.

The court was also told Younger had breached an intervention order and damaged property in May last year, and had stolen a mobile phone left at the Bacchus Marsh Golf Club in July.

Younger had spent three days in custody, and pleaded guilty.

His defence lawyer, Scott Belcher, said a fine was appropriate, mitigated by the time served.

Magistrate Alan Spillane agreed, fining Younger an aggregate of $575 plus costs for the stolen phone.

He said that was a quarter of the fine he would usually give.

"I'm conscious you've spent three days in custody, that means you've largely paid your debt to society," he told Younger.

"Also, you're 20 years old, the courts bend over backwards not to impose severe penalties on young people - there's time to keep away from the rubbish you've been indulging in."

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