A Wando Vale man who attempted to mow down his father and sister with a Holden Commodore has been jailed for 14 months.
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Matthew Constantine, 29, of Hardys Road, pleaded guilty in Warrnambool Magistrates Court to driving offences. He will serve at least six months before he is eligible for parole and has already spent 95 days in custody on remand.
Lawyer Karin Temperley said her client was deeply remorseful for his actions, which occurred in the context of significant family tensions and heavy drug use. She said a family dispute occurred and Constantine attempted to get away but hit the accelerator instead of the reverse pedal, launching the vehicle towards the victims.
But magistrate Franz Holzer said that story was "a bit hard to accept given the summary".
He said there were no victim impact statements but those involved "likely felt significantly for their safety and their lives".
Police said on April 4 Constantine was observed driving a maroon Holden Commodore with no registration plates at 150km/h on the Glenelg Highway towards Casterton.
He arrived at a property in Wando Vale about 7.30pm. His father, sister and her partner were present.
The victims said Constantine appeared very angry and drug affected. He accelerated towards his father, who jumped over a wire fence and into a horse paddock to avoid a collision.
The vehicle struck the wire fence, causing star pickets to snap.
Constantine then reversed out of the gate and accelerated towards his sister, who moved to avoid being hit.
He then fled the property and called his mother to tell her he had a firearm and planned to burn his family's house down.
The court heard police could not locate Constantine for some time and numerous warrants were issued for his arrest.
Constantine was jailed for 14 months with a non-parole period of six months.
His licence was cancelled for two years.
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