Wayne Douglas Collins, 60, of Queen Street, Oberon, appeared before magistrate Cate Follent in Bathurst Local Court, where he was convicted and sentenced.

Collins appeared before the court in person and unrepresented.

The court heard Collins failed to pay for accommodation at the Titania Motel in Oberon between May 24 and June 17 this year.

Antecedents handed to the court told how Collins is unemployed and receives Centrelink's Newstart Allowance.

The court heard he had no place of abode and had been staying in motels with his partner.

Collins told police he had been sleeping in the car recently and seeking emergency accommodation.

Police facts handed to the court outlined how Collins checked into the Titania Motel on May 24, 2019, occupied one of the rooms and checked out on June 7, at which time his account was $2249.

On June 10, the motel allowed Collins to check in again, even with the outstanding debt, and occupy another room until June 16, 2019, when the owners of the premises contacted police requesting assistance in removing Collins.

Police attended on June 17 and established a further $805 was owing, bringing the total to $3054, according to the police facts.

While police were present, Collins agreed to leave the location and told police he would return later to repay the outstanding debt.

He never returned to repay the money.

Police had cause to speak with Collins on July 3, 2019 and, as a result, he was arrested and taken to Bathurst Police Station, where he was charged.

He told police he assumed the bill had been paid by his partner and was unaware money was still owing, according to the police facts.

As a result, he was charged with failing to pay for accommodation.

Collins was convicted, fined $50 and ordered to pay $3054 in compensation to the motel.