​Benjamin Jeffrey, 31, of Injemira Road, Grassmere, pleaded guilty in the Warrnambool Magistrates Court to dangerous driving and reckless conduct endangering serious injury.

He is expected to lose his job.

Magistrate Cynthia Toose said it was a concerning police summary of the incident and Jeffrey had a propensity for acting impulsively.

She said his overreaction had elements of vigilantism.

Jeffrey has prior court appearances for armed robbery and reckless conduct endangering life.

The magistrate said Jeffrey had acted disproportionately and a clear message had to be sent to the community that such behaviour would not be tolerated.

Jeffrey was convicted, placed on a 12-month community corrections order with the conditions he do 120 hours of community work and undertake assessment, treatment, rehabilitation and programs as directed.

Police said that during May the victim was driving a Holden Commodore ute north on the Hopkins Highway near Bushfield.

Jeffrey's partner was driving in front of the ute and she claimed she was followed very closely by the ute driver.

She phoned Jeffrey who was driving another car behind the ute.

Jeffrey caught up to the victim's ute, tailgated him and then overtook him, passing so close that he didn't cross onto the other side of the road.

Jeffrey braked and stopped in an attempt to halt the ute but the driver took evasive action to get away and police were called.

Defence counsel Belinda Northey said Jeffrey had completely overreacted after fearing his partner and young daughter had been put in danger.

She said it was his first poor decision in some time.