Vipond was found with four loaded guns — a sawn-off shotgun, two sawn-off rifles and a pump-action rifle — when police searched his then home on Durham Ct, Shepparton, March 29, 2019.
Three of the guns had been reported as stolen, the court heard.
Police also found 147.2g of methamphetamines and $8180 cash when they went to Vipond’s house to arrest him for NSW offences for which he was under police surveillance.
Police also found ammunition, including a box of 20 rifle cartridges, a box of 44 magnum ammunition and a packet of .22 rifle ammunition, as well as firearm accessories including a telescopic sight in a car with false number plates.
Digital scales, new ziplock plastic bags, three mobile phones and personal cards in a satchel with the methamphetamines were also seized.
After his arrest in Shepparton, Vipond was extradited to NSW to face the NSW District Court on charges of firing a firearm in a public place on January 8, 2019, and two charges of aggravated break and enter on February 25, 2019.
He was sentenced to four years and nine months with a non-parole period of three years for the NSW offences before he was released on parole and brought back to Victoria in March 2022.
In sentencing Vipond in the Melbourne County Court, Judge Pardeep Tiwana acknowledged he had the guns for security, due to the fear of the “contract on your life”.
However, he said he “can’t overlook seriousness of offending”, and it was “extremely dangerous” for the guns to be in the back of a car while Vipond was driving around Shepparton and Mooroopna.
Judge Tiwana noted Vipond’s methamphetamine use began and “dramatically escalated” after he found out about the alleged contract.
Vipond had “no idea why someone would want to kill him”, and was using about two ounces of methamphetamines a week, the judge said.
However, Judge Tiwana noted Vipond’s “forced abstinence from drugs in prison” had been maintained while he was living in the community.
He said Vipond’s prospects of rehabilitation were “quite positive”, and he had shown a “genuine resolution to improve your life” by abiding by strict bail conditions and volunteering.
Judge Tiwana acknowledged the matters “hanging over your head” would’ve caused Vipond some anxiety and stress, which was “some punishment”.
Vipond was sentenced to two years in prison, with 13 months to be served before he is eligible for parole.
He declared the 83 days Vipond had spent in pre-sentence detention be counted as time already served on his sentence.
35°C