Jesse Newman was sentenced at the Ballarat Magistrates Court on Thursday to 20 months' jail with a non-parole period of 12 months.

The Black Hill man was a passenger in a car, driven by his partner, when it lost control and crashed into four vehicles at the Albert and Grant streets roundabout at 3.10pm on April 9.

An off-duty police officer had just left his workplace when the out-of-control car collided with his utility first.

The court was told the police officer approached the crashed car's occupants to speak to them when a drunk Newman started punching him in the head and face.

The victim identified himself as a police officer, but Newman continued to punch him 10 times saying, "I don't give a s**t".

The court was told Newman, who was on bail at the time, walked away from the police officer and fled the scene on foot before authorities arrived.

The qualified plasterer was arrested the following day at his house where he told police he had consumed 12 vodka cruisers before the crash.

Police prosecutor Leading Senior Constable Lisa Schoemaker said Newman may not have known the victim was a police officer, but he clearly identified himself as one and the assault continued.

"It's an aggravating offence," Leading Senior Constable Schoemaker said.

She said the victim had to take time off work after receiving significant bruising and swelling to his face.

Defence lawyer Scott Belcher said his client, who admitted he had an anger management issue exacerbated by alcohol, wanted to apologise to the police officer.

He said Newman had completed seven courses while in custody, was now on anti-depressant medication and had some family support.

Newman, a father-of-three, pleaded guilty to recklessly causing injury to an emergency worker over the incident, while one charge of assaulting an emergency worker was withdrawn.

He also pleaded guilty to 10 other charges, including theft, burglary, failing to answer bail, criminal damage and unlawful assault relating to other matters.

In sentencing magistrate Leonard Brear told Newman he had a significant violent history.

Newman has already served 84 days of his sentence. He lodged an appeal against the severity of the sentence but did not apply for appeal bail.

His appeal will be held at the County Court at a later date.

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