Colin John Chisholm, 37, of Framlingham-Garvoc Road, Garvoc, pleaded guilty in Warrnambool Magistrates Court to a range of driving offences resulting this week.

Magistrate Pete Mellas said a medical report indicated the offending happened at a time when Chisholm had a deterioration in his psychiatric condition but the defendant was now compliant with medication.

He said it was important that Chisholm followed his treatment and someone with mental health issues should not to be used as a vehicle for general deterrence.

Chisholm was convicted, lost his licence and was placed on a good behaviour bond with the condition he comply with the treatment recommendations of his doctor and psychiatrist.

Police said that at 8.35pm on April 21 last year Chisholm was parked facing west on the Princes Highway at Terang with his headlights off. As police went to check the vehicle Chisholm accelerated away on McKinnons Bridge Road in excess of 150km/h.

Chisholm slowed down approaching Noorat, still with his headlights off, and along the Sisters-Noorat Road police terminated the pursuit due to the danger his driving posed to other road uses.

Two days later Chisholm was admitted to care and he later confessed to the driving offences.

Defence counsel Kiernan Celestina said his client’s prior offending happened a long time ago and related to substance abuse issues which were no longer problems.