A 64-year-old wheelchair-bound man and his 49-year-old carer have both pleaded guilty to using cannabis at their Clunes home.
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The Ballarat Magistrates Court on Monday heard a search warrant was executed at the Fairview Road address on July 28 this year.
Three ziplock bags containing 132 grams of cannabis, belonging to 64-year-old John Sinclair, were found.
Another 56 grams, five guns – including a rifle and sawn-off shot gun which were found wrapped in a blanket behind a door - and 900 rounds of ammunition were also found in the bedroom of Sinclair’s carer, 49-year-old Jason Riske, who was prohibited from possessing any firearms.
Sinclair, who had no prior criminal history, said he bought enough cannabis to last between six and 12 months at a time to deal with his deteriorating back issues.
During his interview with police, Riske – who had been caring for Sinclair for the past 16 years – also made full admissions to using cannabis for personal use.
He also said the guns were given to him by an elderly man and he had intentions to hand them in, but did not get around to it.
His lawyer, Mike Wardell, said Riske often helped around the community and offered to hand the guns in, but changed his priorities after his father died.
Mr Wardell said Riske had no priors for firearms and there were no suggestions the guns were used in any criminal activity.
Magistrate Mark Stratmann told Riske his actions needed to be condemned.
“Firearm offences are serious, one of them was sawn-off … it carries a lot of concern why people carry these,” he said.
“The public has a right to be concerned about these.
“You should have dealt with them promptly.”
Riske was convicted and fined $2400 on the five charges he pleaded guilty to, which included possessing ammunition, failing to answer bail and possessing cannabis.
Sinclair was convicted and fined $650 for the cannabis.