Inside drug-fuelled downfall of $22m lottery winner Joshua Winslet

Photos taken inside the home of a young Australian lottery winner reveal the dark and “hedonistic” path he took after the windfall.

Most people dream of winning $22m in the lottery, but the dream turned out to be a nightmare for Joshua John Winslet.

Instead of being a life-changing windfall, the 27-year-old’s multimillion-dollar lottery win precipitated a descent into a hedonistic lifestyle of drugs and partying.

The Adelaide man faced Adelaide District Court on August 27 after pleading guilty to two counts of supplying MDMA, possessing an unidentified firearm without a licence, possessing ammunition without a licence, and failing to keep the gun or the ammunition safely as required.

Joshua Winslet framed his winning Powerball announcement. Picture: Courts SA

Police arrived at his New Port home on August 30, 2020, after receiving a tip-off that drugs were being manufactured on the premises.

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.

Judge Heath Barklay said Winslet’s troubles began when he won the lottery and lapsed into an indolent and “hedonistic” lifestyle.

Inside $22m Powerball winner Joshua Winslet's party house. Picture: Courts SA

People were allowed to run amok inside. the house. Picture: Courts SA

“In August 2020, you were hopelessly drug addicted, leading an aimless life, consuming drugs and hanging around with the wrong people,” he said.

After Winslet won nearly $22.3m in 2017, the court was told he Winslet stopped working as a plumber and started regularly using drugs.

“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 would supply drugs to his ‘so-called friends’. Picture: Courts SA

A gun was hidden in the bathroom. Picture: Courts SA

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 realised he was facing jail time for the seven offences.

Winslet was considered a ‘free ride’. Picture: Courts SA

‘Undesirable people’ hung around his home. Picture: Courts SA

He sought treatment for his drug addiction and enrolled in a drug rehabilitation centre 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 favour of a two-year good behaviour bond.

If the 27-year-old breached the bond, the court was told he could return to jail to serve his full sentence.