Australian actor Ryan Corr pleads guilty to drug possession

Australian actor Ryan Corr has escaped conviction for drug possession after being caught with heroin in a Bondi laneway in May.

Instead of a conviction being recorded, Corr will serve a good behaviour bond for 12 months.

The magistrate said a conviction would negatively affect Corr's career, and noted it would have been the first time he had taken heroin.

Corr was charged with possession of an illegal substance on May 27 after he was discovered with a freezer bag of heroin.

He fronted Waverly Local Court this morning accompanied by high-profile solicitor Chris Murphy, who told the court his client "is at the top of his brilliant career."

Mr Murphy supplied the court with a several references for Corr, including one from his agent detailing the impact the negative publicity from his arrest had already had on his career.

He told the court Corr's grandfather had died of a fatal heart attack shortly before the incident, and that he was highly distressed at the time he was arrested.

The 25-year-old actor was the recipient of the prestigious Heath Ledger acting scholarship in 2011.

He also won a Best Performance award at the Madrid International Fantastic Film Festival five days after his arrest for his role in Australian thriller Wolf Creek 2.

A former Cleo Bachelor of the Year nominee, Corr has also had roles in Underbelly: The Golden Mile, Love Child, and Blue Water High.