Samuel Poulton, 33, sentenced at County Court over firearm offences

A Rowville man who was part of a group that allegedly tried to sell guns to undercover cops has been praised as a “model prisoner” during his time behind bars.

Samuel Poulton has been commended for his good behaviour while in jail on remand.

A member of an alleged gunrunning crew who was busted trying to dispose unregistered firearms has been heralded as a “model prisoner’ after more than a year in the can.

Samuel Poulton, 33 of Rowville, appeared at the County Court for sentence on Wednesday after he pleaded guilty to possessing and disposing two guns as a prohibited person.

Dressed in prison greens, Poulton watched on from Marngoneet prison where he has been locked up for the past 14 months.

Poulton was one of four arrested across multiple police raids in January 2024 after a lengthy investigation, with the group allegedly coming undone after they tried to sell the guns to undercover police.

Two of Poulton’s co-accused Luke Gallo and Luke Camillo will stand trial over their alleged involvement later this year.

The court heard Poulton had previously suffered with drug issues and moved to Queensland in 2019 where he remained drug free for five years before his mental health declined and he moved back to Melbourne.

Samuel Poulton was praised by Judge Duncan Allen for his good behaviour while on remand at Marngoneet prison.

Judge Duncan Allen said the move back to Victoria was a “mistake”, with Poulton relapsing into drug abuse and criminal activity.

“It was a shocking situation you found yourself in and you’ve paid the price for it, you’ve been in jail for well over a year now,” he said.

Since being locked up the court heard Poulton had been the “model prisoner”, engaging in various drug and mental health courses as well as receiving a “glowing” report from prison officers.

Judge Allen said Poulton had shown “genuine desire to change” while in jail.

“You’ve worked when you can and received mental health treatment ... during that time you’ve also undertaken treatment with an external psychiatrist to prepare you for release,” he said.

“You have a genuine desire to change.

“This is largely attributed to the way you’ve handled yourself on remand ... you’re serious about changing. Well done and keep up the good work.”

Poulton was convicted and sentenced to 427 days behind bars which he had already served in pre-sentence detention.

He will be released on Wednesday.