A man who used a hockey stick to trash his own home while in a drug-induced psychosis is free after spending 92 days in jail.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Jason Goodland, 41, of Hamilton, used the piece of sports equipment to smash furniture, plaster walls, computers, a TV and a door that his ex-partner was taking shelter behind.
Police attended the scene, where Goodland attempted to run away before being arrested and taken to Hamilton police station.
Police prosecutor Senior Constable Kevin Mullins said police were forced to terminate an interview because the accused was acting aggressively.
The incident occurred on February 21.
Goodland appeared in Warrnambool Magistrate’s Court the following day, where an urgent medical assessment was requested as it was believed the accused suffered from bipolar and schizophrenia.
A later neuropsychology report revealed the man was actually suffering from drug-induced psychosis. Goodland appeared in court again on Thursday.
Defence counsel Belinda Northeys said the accused had been addicted to cannabis for many years and suffered “significant anxiety” while in custody due to withdrawals from drugs.
She said considering Goodland’s heavy drug use, he was “very lucky to have escaped without an acquired brain injury”.
Magistrate Noreen Toohey said the accused had an alarming 12 pages of criminal history.
She said Corrections Victoria was “very reluctant” to find the accused suitable for a community corrections order – a sentence submitted to the court by Ms Northeys.
“He says he is adamant he will stay off drugs in the future and I wonder how long that will last,” Ms Toohey said.
“He either has the choice to deal with his drug use once and for all, or he will be back again and the only question will be how long (will he spend in jail).”
Goodland was sentenced to a 15-month community corrections order and 92 days in jail, with time already served.