Police officers tried to break the windows of a ute with their batons to stop a drug-affected driver who was ramming a car they had used to block his exit from an Alfredton motel.
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Nathan Smith, 35, rammed the car three times while three police officers were nearby and reversed back ramming into another car.
The prosecution says Smith jumped over to the back seat with intention to grab a firearm when police broke the windows and tried to pull him out.
Judge Justin Hannebery said there was a 'substantial possibility' the police officers could have been badly injured.
"The moving of the vehicle is significant. There are eight separate actions he takes," he said.
Crown prosecutor Jordan O'Toole told the County Court on Thursday Smith was wanted by police for questioning on another matter in September 2019.
He has attempted to retrieve the firearm while being surrounded by police.
- Crown prosecutor Jordan O'Toole
In October 2019 he stole a ute from a Ballarat East address and 12 days later police saw the stolen ute spray painted a different colour and parked at an Alfredton motel.
Smith and two others had arrived at the motel to book a room and parked the car outside the room they were staying in.
The police officer who saw the stolen car called for backup and asked another motel occupant to leave his van where he had temporarily parked it, blocking the driveway.
The officers made an arrest plan and parked their cars in the driveway to block all entry and exit points of the car park.
The officers were walking to the motel room when they saw Smith in the driver's seat of the stolen ute with the engine running.
He sped directly towards two of the officers who were standing in front of the van and had to jump out of the way before Smith rammed the bonnet.
Smith reversed quickly and rammed another parked car behind him, before speeding forward and ramming the van again, narrowly missing three police officers and the motel owner.
Police officers attempted to open the doors to the car, which were locked, while Smith reversed into the parked car a second time and drove forward to ram the van for a third time.
He continued to rev and change gears while the ute was lodged in the bonnet of the van, which had been pushed back into another car.
The officers tried to break the window to Smith's car with their batons and spray him with capsicum spray and had to hit him with a baton through the window and drag him out of the car.
Smith had jumped to the back seat to unwrap an item, which police later found was a firearm which had previously been stolen in a burglary.
"He has attempted to retrieve the firearm while being surrounded by police," Mr O'Toole said.
The gun was not loaded but police found ammunition that could be used in it in Smith's pocket, where they also found drugs.
A hunting knife was in the drivers' side door, the car had false number plates, Smith was unlicensed and tested positive to drugs.
Two cars were written off and another three cars were damaged.
Smith pleaded guilty to intentionally exposing emergency workers to risk by driving, possessing drugs, a firearm, damaging property and theft at the County Court on Thursday.
He has been in custody for 364 days.
"There will have to be a substantial period of imprisonment imposed in this matter," Judge Hannebery said.
Defence barrister Sam Andrianakis said Smith was committed to rehabilitation, had done courses and had been working in prison and had family support.
"If he chose to fall back into methamphetamine use, this is what he is capable of," Mr O'Toole said.
Judge Hannebery said the danger to the community was high if his rehabilitation was unacceptable.
Smith will return to court for sentencing next week.
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