Many dream of one day winning the lottery – they buy a ticket each week in the hope of landing a life-changing amount of money.
On Thursday, thousands of Australians will be scrambling to get their hands on a last-minute entry into this week’s massive $67.5m Powerball draw.
But the dream turned out to be a nightmare for Joshua John Winslet.
In 2017, when he was in his mid-20s, he won nearly $15 million.
He stopped working as a plumber and started living a high life.
But within three years his life had started to unravel.
His Adelaide home was raided by police on August 30, 2020, after they received a tip-off that drugs were being manufactured on the premises.
Pictures taken from inside the home shows empty cans and bottles scattered throughout the home.
One picture shows several Nitrous oxide bulbs, also known as nangs, dispersed on a coffee table.
Officers discovered 2.27g of cocaine on Winslet before uncovering 23.9g of party drug MDMA in a safe in a bedroom and a further 4.4g on a shelf in a wardrobe.
Police also found a Mauser handgun and ammunition hidden in a manhole in the bathroom.
He pleaded guilty to two counts of supplying MDMA, possessing an unidentified firearm without a license, possessing ammunition without a license, and failing to keep the gun or the ammunition safely as required in the Adelaide District Court on August 27.
Judge Heath Barklay said Winslet’s troubles began when he won the lottery and lapsed into an indolent and “hedonistic” lifestyle.
“In August 2020, you were hopelessly drug addicted, leading an aimless life, consuming drugs, and hanging around with the wrong people,” he said.
“Because of the money that you had won, there was no motivation on your part to work or do anything other than enjoy yourself,” Judge Barklay said.
“You had lots of money, so you could afford to buy large amounts of drugs, which you would use yourself and supply to your so-called friends from time to time.”
Winslet’s generosity meant many considered him a “free ride”, the court was told. He would supply drugs to the crowd of “undesirable people” hanging around and allowed them to “run amok” in his home.
“One of your so-called friends brought the firearm and ammunition to your house and stored it in your roof,” Judge Barklay said.
“The firearm was in your house where people were taking drugs and carrying on. This increased the likelihood of the firearm being used at least by others for an unlawful purpose.”
The court was told Winslet had “a wake-up call” when he realized he was facing jail time for the seven offenses.
He sought treatment for his drug addiction and enrolled in a drug rehabilitation center interstate, where he planned to return after sentencing.
Judge Barklay sentenced Winslet to three years and nine months imprisonment, a sentence that he then suspended in favor of a two-year good behavior bond.
