Edward Wilson, 35, appeared at Ballarat Magistrates Court yesterday facing a number of driving charges, assault and breaching a suspended sentence.

As Wilson sat in the dock, police prosecutor Senior Constable Michelle Burnett said police found a vehicle driven by Wilson stalled across two lanes on Skipton Street in Ballarat in May 2008.

She said the accused recorded a blood alcohol level of 0.243 and told police he was “having a bit to drink with friends”. Wilson was also disqualified from driving at the time.

Senior Constable Burnett said police intercepted Wilson again in April 2009, this time in a stolen car, after it had ran out of petrol in Rubicon Street in Ballarat.

She said the accused initially denied stealing the vehicle, but later pleaded guilty to the offence.

The court heard on June 26 2011, Wilson filled a car with just over $50 petrol from a Wendouree service station, then drove off without paying.

Senior Constable Burnett said he was arrested, was found to be unlicensed and told police he stole the petrol because he “knew the funds were not on my card”.

It was also revealed on January 4 this year, Wilson crashed into the back of a vehicle in Eyre Street in Ballarat, before driving off without stopping. He was followed by the victim, who called police, and was subsequently arrested.

Defence lawyer Mike Wardell conceded his client had six prior drink driving convictions, four disqualified driving convictions and the latest offences would constitute a breach of six month suspended sentence.

He said Wilson had a difficult childhood and used alcohol to “numb a lot of things out”.

Mr Wardell also said his client had prospects of rehabilitation and was aware alcohol was his “root of all evil”.

Magistrate Catherine Lamble sentenced Wilson to serve the six months for his suspended sentence, plus 210 additional days for subsequent offences.

Wilson’s 50 days already served in custody was counted as time served in relation to the sentence.