Adam Deering, 49, of Kiama Avenue, pleaded guilty in Warrnambool Magistrates Court to reckless conduct endangering life, failure to stop on police request and drug-related offences. 

Lawyer Amanda Chambers said her client was “very unwell” at the time of the offending and he was being sought by police due to his mental health. 

She said he had diagnosed schizophrenia and delusional disorder. 

Deering was sentenced to 90 days' jail, with 63 days already spent in custody on remand. 

On December 14 last year, Deering had a community corrections order revoked and was required to attend Warrnambool Base Hospital for a psychiatric assessment. 

On that day police observed him travelling in his motor home on Warrnambool’s Harris Street. He conducted a U-turn and drove on the wrong side of the road towards the unmarked police car. 

The officer driving was forced to take evasive action to avoid a collision. The motor home then stopped just short of where the police vehicle had come to a stop.

Two officers approached the motor home but Deering refused to come out. He turned the gas on and shut the windows and vents of the vehicle. 

Police negotiated with the man who eventually opened a window and turned the gas off. 

Officers feared he would drive away and smashed the driver's side window before deploying pepper spray. 

Deering then turned the car on and rammed the unmarked police car, causing it to move about four metres. 

He then reversed, colliding with a police divisional van that was parked behind it. 

He drove towards a number of officers, who jumped out of the way. 

Another officer activated the lights of a third police vehicle and followed the man who drove to a car park at Warrnambool Base Hospital where he was subsequently was arrested. 

He was found in possession of 3.07 grams of meth and $1435 cash. 

A search of the motor home revealed 17 grams of weed, drug paraphernalia, five unknown tablets believed to be illicit drugs, and a number of ornamental items and jewellery, including watches, rings, necklaces and bracelets. 

He told police he had dealt drugs for six months and accepted either cash or jewellery as payment. 

Deering was ordered to pay $4170 restitution to police for the damage to the unmarked police car, which was towed from the scene. 

The divisional van suffered minor damage. 

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