Mark David Jessup, 26, was sentenced in the County Court in Bendigo on Friday after pleading guilty to 17 charges for offending that spanned from October last year to January.

Related: Bendigo man faces jail for ‘sustained’ attacks on girlfriend

His first offence – on October 22 – involved driving at police who were forced to take evasive action near Swan Hill.

Jessup punched his girlfriend to the head 16 times in one instance in Bendigo in December, causing her to lose consciousness.

It was one of three occasions when Jessup attacked the woman during the offending period. He also made eight separate threats to kill - the majority against his girlfriend.

He showed up to a house at 3am and smashed a window with a brick while threatening the people inside, including his girlfriend. He then wielded a 40-centimetre hunting knife and started driving his motorbike at the front door.

Jessup was arrested in Kangaroo Flat on January 9 while trying to flee police on foot.

The court was told Jessup had a “violent” upbringing and developed personality disorders. He started using illicit drugs at 15 and developed an ice and alcohol habit. A report found he would benefit from psychiatric treatment and was likely to re-offend without further treatment.

He was jailed for six months in February 2016 for “similar offending” and was still completing a 15-month community corrections order.

Judge Howard Mason said protection from the community was paramount.

“Possessing a large hunting knife... presents a picture of a terrifying ordeal and adds further dimensions to that offending,” he said.

Judge Mason took into account Jessup’s rehabilitation efforts while in custody, his mental health issues, traumatic early life, guilty plea and drug issues in determining the sentence.

Jessup was jailed for three years and 10 months with a non-parole period of two years and six months. He has served 255 days. 

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