Victor Edward Protheroe fronts Chinchilla Magistrates Court after methamphetamine, cannabis and GHB found in police raid of home

A Chinchilla man on parole for a 2020 robbery has again appeared in court after police found drugs at his home during a raid.

General street picture of Chinchilla - CHINCHILLA COURT HOUSE Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Clark

A Chinchilla man on parole until 2026 after a 2020 robbery has been lucky to avoid jail time after a police raid on his property found drugs and drug equipment.

Victor Edward Protheroe, 39 faced Chinchilla Magistrates Court on Thursday where he pleaded guilty to five drug charges including possession of methamphetamine.

The court was told about 9am on October 28 police issued a search warrant at Protheroe’s home discovering a variety of drugs around the property.

Police found a small amount (0.2g) of methamphetamine behind Protheroe’s ID in his wallet, a container filled with a clear substance believed to be GHB, a plastic bag containing cannabis, a glass pipe which contained methamphetamine residue and another container with GHB residue.

Victor Protheroe sentenced for drugs

Protheroe told police the drugs belonged to the previous residents of the home and offered to undertake a drug test the following day to prove his sobriety.

The court was told Protheroe had a lengthy history with drug addiction, which saw him first taking methamphetamine at 14, but he said he had been sober for some time and moved to Chinchilla to get away from a previous life of drug addiction and crime as well as take care of his sick mother.

Police prosecutor Chris Hutchins said despite Protheroe’s extensive criminal history it was worth noting that the drugs found were in a very small quantity.

Acting magistrate Robert Turra agreed.

“The offending is not serious in terms of the quantity of drugs found, but it is serious because you are on parole,” he said.

Mr Turra warned Protheroe that he was lucky to be avoiding prison time and urged him to stay clean.

“You have the keys to the cell in your pocket, it's now up to you what you do with them,” he said.

“I can see you have a long history of substance abuse and addiction, and that monkey will probably always be on your back.”

“I know I can beat it,” Protheroe replied.

For his offending Protheroe was fined $700 refer to SPER and the drug equipment was forfeited. A conviction was recorded.