Putu Winchester-Stanton: Former Home and Away star avoids jail for dealing cocaine

A former Home and Away actor has learnt his fate for dealing drugs and laundering more than $100,000 of drug money in the idyllic Byron Bay area.

Cheers erupted in a Sydney courtroom as a former Home and Away star avoided jail time for dealing cocaine and laundering more than $100,000 of drug money throughout the Byron Bay area.

Putu Sugiarta Winchester-Stanton appeared in the NSW District Court on Thursday after pleading guilty to supplying 286g of cocaine in the coastal region.

The court heard the 46-year-old was involved in supplying the illicit drug in the regional area of Mullumbimby in April 2021.

He was arrested after a series of police raids were conducted with the aim of interrupting the supply of cocaine in the hinterland area.

Former Home and Away actor Putu Winchester-Stanton has been sentenced for supplying cocaine in the Byron Bay area. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Adelaide Lang

The court heard an undercover operative was tasked with engaging in controlled drug exchanges with a suspected drug dealer who was seen interacting with Winchester-Stanton.

The officer purchased just under 90g of cocaine from the dealer with marked notes on April 22, 2021 while his colleagues covertly monitored the meeting.

Police then followed the dealer and watched as he met with Winchester-Stanton and handed over a plastic bag.

The former Heartbreak High actor was subsequently arrested in Mullumbimby with $4300 cash in his possession.

The court heard he was escorted to his house, where police found a further 200g of cocaine stashed in a tin on top of a cupboard.

Police also seized more than $24,300 in marked notes, which Judge Warwick Hunt said was consistent with Winchester-Stanton’s role as a money launderer for the drug ring.

He was supported by friends in court. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nikki Short

The 46-year-old was involved in a cocaine ring in Byron Bay, the court heard. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nikki Short

The court heard he had previously laundered more than $109,00, which he knew was the proceeds of drug sales.

“The reason he had been given control of the proceeds that day was because he was to launder them,” Judge Hunt noted.

The court heard the cocaine, which amounted to more than a commercial quantity, was being stored for future drug deals conducted by the other man.

Judge Hunt noted the offence involved a low level of planning but “some level of sophistication”.

“The offence was part of a planned or organised activity …. (and) was committed for financial gain,” he said.

However, the judge took into account the Indonesian-born actor’s willingness to repay the money he had accessed during the course of the offences.

Winchester-Stanton starred in the hit TV show Heartbreak High. Source: Supplied

He played the loveable class clown. Source: Supplied

He highlighted Winchester-Stanton’s voluntary commitment to a “rigorous” year-long residential rehabilitation course and said he found the actor “truly remorseful and insightful”.

“Mr Winchester-Stanton is someone who … has passed through the crossroads,” Judge Hunt said.

“He’s been able to make good on his determination to come good.”

Judge Hunt determined the former Home and Away star had “excellent prospects of rehabilitation” and was “unlikely to reoffend”.

He sentenced the 46-year-old to an 18-month intensive corrections order to be served in the community.

The actor’s three friends cheered in the back of the court as the judge delivered his sentence on Thursday afternoon.

As he left court flanked by his grinning friends, Winchester-Stanton was asked how he felt about the result.

“I’m just glad it’s over,” he said while smiling widely.

The formerly famous actor shot to fame when he was only 18 years old when he starred in the hit Australian show Heartbreak High.

He beamed into living rooms around the country between 1997 and 1999 as class clown Dennis Klinsmann.

The young heart-throb subsequently starred in the long-running series Home and Away in 2000, before playing a role in the gritty TV show Water Rats.

His most recent acting role was in the indie art house film Hell is Light, which was released in 2018 to critical acclaim.

Winchester-Stanton previously told reporters he was writing a book about his life.