A man who held a knife to his pregnant partner and said he would 'cut out' her baby has been jailed.
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Scott Alexander, 36, pleaded guilty at the Ballarat Magistrates' Court on Tuesday to 18 charges.
Police prosecutor Senior Constable Steve Repac told the court Alexander was caught five times between December 2018 and August 2019 driving without an alcohol interlock device, which was a condition of his licence.
Tests showed he was driving with the presence of an illicit drug, including methamphetamine and cannabis, in his system on three of those occasions.
The court heard Alexander was also charged with unlawful assault and possessing drugs and weapons relating to an incident in October and November 2019.
Senior Constable Repac said in October, Alexander held a knife in a cover at his pregnant partner after she told him she wanted to break up.
The court heard he held the knife an inch away from her stomach while she was lying on the ground and said 'I will cut this baby out of you'.
Alexander then head-butted the victim after holding her down so she could not move.
Police were called and found cannabis on the table in the lounge room and knuckle-dusters in his bag.
The court heard police were called to their address in November 2011, where the victim said Alexander had pulled her off the bed and dragged her across the room by her leg, causing pain.
This was in breach of his bail conditions.
Defence barrister Nicholas Hanos said Alexander had two children to a previous partner and his current partner, the victim, was pregnant with his child.
"He has said this is a toxic relationship because they both use drugs," he said.
"It seems he is sincere in trying to get off drugs, although his success has been limited in the past."
Mr Hanos said Alexander was keen to get back to employment as a welder and fabricator and stay away from drugs.
Magistrate Ian McGrane said his major concern was Alexander's driving behaviour.
"He has failed to comply with an alcohol interlock condition imposed by the court," he said.
"He has a prior conviction and five charges for it... It is clear you are snubbing your nose at the system."
Mr McGrane said he had to send a message not only to Alexander, but to everyone who drives a motor vehicle they must comply with the rules.
"That's how people die, when they don't comply with the rules," he said.
"Not only does he drive without the interlock but he does it while on drugs. That is the fear of everyone who drives on a country road, that an meth addict will drive across the white line."
Alexander was sentenced to six months' imprisonment, with 72 days already served.
He was disqualified from driving for 18 months and fined almost $4000.
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