AN ECHUCA man has been jailed for six months after pleading guilty to trafficking amphetamines as well as a string of driving and theft charges.
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Andrew Campbell, 33, was caught with two small bags of the drugs, two SIM cards, a "tick sheet" and $1030 in cash in June this year.
A forensic search of his mobile phone also revealed text messages which discussed his trafficking activities.
He pleaded guilty in Bendigo Magistrates Court on Tuesday to 20 charges including trafficking and using amphetamines, three counts of driving while disqualified and possessing a controlled weapon.
Campbell was arrested in August after a routine police check of his car found a boot-full of stolen goods.
He was remanded in custody after a court heard he had continued to offend while on bail for other charges.
In July, Campbell was caught at a Heathcote service station with a bag continuing 100 stolen items including clothing with security tags attached, alcohol, sex toys and a knife.
On Tuesday he also pleaded guilty to dealing in the proceeds of crime as well as charges relating to thefts at Echuca's Supercheap Auto, Coles Liquorland and a clothing retailer.
The court heard Campbell had received a nine-month suspended sentence last year and a 21-day sentence in August this year which was reckoned as time served.
Defence lawyer Timothy Fitzpatrick told the court his client had a problem with methamphetamine and had been trafficking to fund his addiction.
He said Campbell had struggled to find work since his release from custody in November last year.
The court heard Campbell had spent 14 months on remand while awaiting trial for a charge a Supreme Court jury acquitted him of.
But Mr Fitzpatrick said his client had a long work history and had recently gained extra qualifications.
Magistrate Patrick Southey said Campbell had a bad driving history and a lengthy criminal history but said he had the skills to make something of himself if he chose to.
Mr Southey jailed Campbell for a total of 11 months but ordered five months be suspended for a year.
He also fined Campbell $750 and urged him to turn his life around.
"You're not a lost cause by any means," Mr Southey said.
"It's really up to you know...isn't it time to be a law-abiding citizen."
Thirty-nine days of Campbell's sentence was ruled as time served on remand.