A KANGAROO Flat drug trafficker who was found with a loaded sawn-off rifle could be released from prison sooner than expected.
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Magistrate Megan Aumair last month told Christopher Martin Murphy, 46, he was facing a "significant" jail term after he pleaded guilty to 38 charges including trafficking GHB.
But at the Bendigo Magistrates' Court on Thursday, Ms Aumair said a shorter prison sentence was on the cards in light of new psychological material.
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The court heard on June 30 this year, police located the loaded sawn-off .22 semi-automatic rifle at Murphy's home in Kangaroo Flat.
During the search, detectives also found rounds of ammunition, 32 grams of cannabis, 1.2 grams of methamphetamine, cocaine, $1875 in cash, an extendable baton, homemade firearm silencers, scales, and bank cards belonging to different people.
Murphy was arrested and taken to the Bendigo Police Station for questioning. He provided a no-comment response to questions about the drugs and firearms before he was released on bail.
The court heard then about 11.40pm on September 30, police saw Murphy speeding along Crusoe Road in Kangaroo Flat on a motorbike.
The officers intercepted him at a service station and arrested the 46-year-old.
In his possession, Murphy had 20ml of the drug GHB in a plastic vial, $395.50 in cash, and three mobile phones.
The motorbike he was riding was also unregistered and was displaying homemade false number plates.
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Murphy was unlicensed at the time of the offending.
Detectives analysed one of Murphy's phones and found photos of methamphetamine on digital scales, messages about drug deals, and a tick sheet in the notes application.
Defence lawyer Jack Dalziel last month told the court Murphy had post-traumatic stress disorder after suffering abuse throughout his childhood.
Mr Dalziel on Thursday submitted a psychological report to the court confirming that diagnosis.
The defence lawyer said a combination sentence of a community corrections order and jail would be appropriate so Murphy could access the counselling services he needed.
Magistrate Megan Aumair said while a jail term with a non-parole period was within range for the serious charges, she was satisfied that a community corrections order would be more beneficial.
But Ms Aumair told Murphy he would still need to serve a prison term of no less than six months. The 46-year-old has already been in custody for 48 days.
The magistrate adjourned sentencing until next month so Murphy could undergo a community corrections order assessment.
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