Judge Gavan Meredith reduced Broughton's sentence to one year and six months imprisonment on appeal at the County Court in Ballarat.

The non-parole period will be for 10 months - it was noted that Broughton has already served 223 days of his sentence.

But for the pleas of guilty, the sentence imposed would have been a total effective sentence of two years and four months imprisonment, with a non-parole period of 18 months.

PREVIOUSLY:

A Ballarat magistrate has sent a strong message to the community that drug trafficking and firearm offences will be harshly punished.

Ballarat man Nathan Broughton was sentenced to one year and eight months jail with a 14 month non-parole period at the Ballarat Magistrates' Court on Tuesday.

The 35-year-old pleaded guilty to 13 charges including trafficking methamphetamine, possessing firearms and other weapons, driving while suspended, possessing proceeds of crime and ammunition, and committing offences while on bail.

Police prosecutor Leading Senior Constable Steve Kent told the court police caught Broughton driving while suspended two times in April.

On the second occasion he took off from police at a fast rate and yelled 'f*ck you pigs' as officers approached his car on the side of the road.

The court heard police executed a search warrant at Broughton's Ballarat property on August 13, where he told police he had drugs stored in a WD40 can in the bedside table.

Police located 10.3g of methamphetamine, 0.83g of cocaine and 0.62g of amphetamines in the can. Three books were found containing written notes of drug trafficking, nearby scales, snap lock bags and two mobile phones.with messages detailing sales

A wallet was found containing $2000 cash which police believed to be the proceeds of drug trafficking. Broughton was long-term unemployed and was living on Centrelink benefits.

Leading Senior Constable Kent said police also located two firearms in the drawers under his bed with the serial numbers removed, a scope, ammunition, a large double edged sword and a steel crossbow.

Broughton admitted to ownership of the firearms and that he had never held a firearm licence.

Defence lawyer Ben Mallick said it was conceded this was serious offending and Broughton had a serious criminal history.

Mr Mallick said Broughton had ambitions to restart his own business and had not used drugs in custody.

"He is a relatively young man... and has been exposed to significant trauma. I ask Your Honour to consider the offending in the context of a young man who had been self medicating for some time," he said.

"There is evidence of remorse."

Broughton was supported by his partner and his 16-year-old son in court.

In his sentencing remarks, Magistrate Ron Saines said he did not consider Broughton a young offender, he had a serious history and the offending was linked to serious drug use and addiction.

"This is the third time you are to be sentenced for trafficking methamphetamine and the second time you are sentenced for the possession of firearms as a prohibited person," he said.

"It is far more serious to be in possession of a firearm in conjunction with other criminal offending. This is a sawn off weapon which has its serial number ground off.

"The drug trafficking has taken place over a period more than a year after you have twice been sentenced for the same offending.

"It is proven you received more than $12,000 in payments. It is more serious because all this offending is while you are on bail.

"When you are released from prison you should be subject to the strictest conditions in the community."

Broughton was sentenced to 14 months jail for trafficking methamphetamine and 12 months jail, six months cumulatively and six months concurrently, for firearm possession and concurrent sentences for other charges.

His sentence totals 20 months in jail, with a non parole period of 14 months.

He has already served 141 days in pre-sentence detention.

"You have a major task in front of you to live without crime and without drugs," Mr Saines said.

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