A MERINO man who abused and threatened his ex-partner and assaulted two police officers has received a reduced jail term on appeal.
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Karl Dreher, 42, had received a six-month prison sentence in the magistrates court after pleading guilty to using a carriage service to harass, making a threat to kill and two counts of assaulting emergency workers on duty.
He appeared in court representing himself and admitted his offending the day after the incident.
Dreher appealed against the severity of the jail term and appeared in the Warrnambool County Court on Tuesday.
In imposing a reduced sentence judge John Smallwood said Dreher had pleaded guilty the day after offending and appeared in court in court unrepresented.
He said Dreher had psychiatric issues and the judge reduced the jail term to four months to serve.
Police said Dreher and a woman had been in a relationship but they separated.
On the late afternoon of the incident they argued over the telephone and the woman hung up, angering Dreher who claimed she owed him $50.
He had consumed about 10 beers and turned up at the woman's Merino home about 8pm.
Dreher used a step ladder to break a kitchen window after being refused entry to the home and the woman called police.
He abused her using disgusting language.
Dreher left the property but returned after police arrived and then left.
He also sent the woman threatening messages.
Police re-attended at the woman's home and then went to Dreher's address.
He refused to answer the door but then came towards two police officers while armed with an iron crowbar.
The police used capsicum foam to render Dreher less dangerous and after a wrestle he was arrested and handcuffed.
Dreher had a prior court appearance for beaching an intervention order involving the same woman.
