The people affected by a man's crimes say they want the court to hold him accountable for his actions and the 'hell' he has put his victims through.
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Ashley Stephen Bull, 27, was sentenced on Wednesday on charges of unlawful assault, theft, careless driving, failing to stop after an accident and driving while suspended.
Magistrate Letizia Torres said she viewed the offending as 'incredibly antisocial, nasty and self-centred behaviour'.
Police summaries revealed Bull had been driving on Gilles Street in Wendouree in November 2018 when he drove erratically and hit a car stopped at a train crossing boom gate.
The victim made a report to Ballarat police when Bull sped off after the collision.
You have reached the end of the road before you go to jail.
- Magistrate Letizia Torres
The next month the victim told police about dash cam footage of the incident she saw uploaded on the Dash Cam Owners Australia Facebook page.
Bull was nominated as the responsible driver by the owner of the footage and he admitted to being the driver of the unregistered car.
In May 2019, police saw Bull driving while suspended.
He stopped at a Delacombe roundabout and entered in front of another car after becoming impatient, causing it to brake to avoid a collision.
Bull was charged in December 2020 in Portland after driving at the front driver's side door of a victim's car, getting out of the car with a fire extinguisher and using it to smash the car windows.
He stole sunglasses and a power board from the car.
The victim, who was known to Bull, saw the incident, ran over and Bull began a brawl that ended with him strangling the victim on the ground.
The Ballarat Magistrates' Court heard Bull had no prior criminal convictions and he pleaded guilty to the charges.
Representing himself at court, Bull said he was currently working and about to have a child with his partner.
Ms Torres said Bull was at risk of going to jail as it was serious offending and there were multiple victims involved.
But she said she needed to take into account his lack of criminal history and the fact jail was a last resort in sentencing.
Bull was assessed as suitable for a community corrections order which revealed alcohol had been a significant issue for him in his past.
Ms Torres sentenced Bull to an 18-month community corrections order with treatment for alcohol abuse, supervision and programs to reduce reoffending.
"You have reached the end of the road before you go to jail," she said.
"The hope is through this ongoing treatment and opportunity to punish you, you learn something so people can be safe around you."
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