A WARRNAMBOOL man who committed a series of offences was yesterday jailed for a fortnight and placed on a 15-month community corrections order.
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Jason Cooper, 24, of Crawley Street, pleaded guilty in Warrnambool Magistrates court to refusing a breath test, driving while suspended, failing to stop when requested by police, failing to answer bail, unlicensed driving, causing criminal damage, drink-driving, driving under the influence of drugs, breaching an intervention order, unlawful assault and resisting police.
In early November last year police tried to pull over Cooper in Brierly Street but he refused, and when spoken to in his driveway soon after also refused to accompany police for an alcohol breath test.
On May 3 he threw an object through a neighbour’s window during an argument, and on August 30 breached an intervention order involving his partner, who suffered a blood nose. He also threw a wooden box against her leg and smashed a light globe.
Cooper then refused to co-operate with police, to leave the home when requested or to accompany them to the police station.
When police dropped off Cooper at his home later in the day he refused to take paperwork, which was placed by officers in his letterbox.
He then grabbed a small tin of paint out of the letterbox which he threw at the divisional van, bursting open when it hit the roof.
Defence counsel Matt Senia said his client needed help and had vomited during an assessment for a corrections order. He had also tested high for depression and anxiety.
Magistrate Jonathan Klestadt said Cooper was again arrested by police on Tuesday afternoon when he left the courtroom and feared the defendant would be charged with serious offences. It is understood Cooper was interviewed in relation to causing damage at a railway station.
Mr Klestadt said indications were that up until three weeks ago Cooper was still out of control.
He said Cooper had now been found guilty of his third and fourth drink-driving offences and would continue coming back to court unless he addressed his mental health, alcohol and drug issues.
Cooper was placed on a 15-month CCO, has to undertake treatment and assessment for alcohol, drugs and mental health issues and perform 100 hours’ community work.
He was also ordered to pay $1170 compensation for breaking a window and damaging the police van and banned from driving for four years.