A Maryborough man who attempted to spin his wheels but ended up bunny hopping next to a police car then led police on a short chase through the Ballarat CBD, a court has heard.
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Christopher Bennett, 35, sped off into Drummond Street with police on his tail, driving on the wrong side of the road and forcing other drivers to take evasive action, the Ballarat Magistrates' Court heard on Thursday.
The January 17 chase was called off, but shortly later police were called to Clarkson Street in Sebastopol where a man was walking around with a tomahawk.
The court heard this man was Bennett, who told an onlooker at the time "I just ran from police, I need to burn the car".
Bennett apologised to police at the scene after he returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.117.
Bennett pleaded guilty to the driving offences, in addition to a single charge of contravening a family violence intervention order, theft of a handbag and using cannabis - totalling 12 charges.
Bennett's lawyer told the court his client's bizarre behaviour on January 17 could be linked to some Valium he had taken.
He reiterated Bennett apologised immediately to police. The lawyer added his client expected jail was warranted, but asked the magistrate not to impose an extensive sentence.
He said Bennett planned to return to Tasmania once he was released.
Magistrate Gregory Robinson sentenced Bennett to six months' imprisonment on the driving offences.
Bennett was also sentenced to six months' jail for the theft and burglary charges, which will be served concurrently.
He was also fined $500 for the unregistered car, $500 for the breach of intervention order and $1000 for using cannabis.
Bennett's licence was cancelled and he was disqualified from driving for 22 months.
"You obviously put not just you, but members of the public and police at risk," magistrate Robinson told Bennett.
