Joel Coutts, 28, appeared in the County Court in Bendigo where he pleaded guilty to one charge of aggravated carjacking, two charges of theft, and one charge of handling stolen goods.

He also pleaded guilty to unlicensed driving and possessing a dangerous weapon in a public place.

Judge Wendy Wilmoth said Coutts had "guarded" prospects of rehabilitation given his criminal history was "littered" with dishonesty offences.

The court heard Coutts drove with the two victims to an Eaglehawk car park in the early hours of October 25, 2018.

Coutts left the car briefly before returning and grabbing his tomahawk.

He removed its cover and approached the victim who was sitting in the passenger seat, pointing the tomahawk at his face while he ordered him to get out of the car.

When the victim refused, Coutts hit him with the hand that was holding the weapon, causing his top lip to split open. There is no allegation that the injury was caused by the tomahawk.

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Coutts, who was unlicensed at the time, then got into the drivers seat and drove the stolen car to a service station.

He pumped fuel worth $96.80 into the car and drove away without paying.

Coutts then drove the car to Spring Gully, where he threw the victim's clothing and suitcase out of the boot.

He then vandalised the car with offensive graffiti.

Coutts was arrested on November 1, 2018 and was remanded in custody.

He was also charged with handling stolen goods, after forensic testing found Coutts had been in contact with golf clubs that had been stolen from a golf club in Bendigo.

Coutts was also charged with another count of theft, after leaving a Strathdale service station without paying for fuel worth $45.09 in September, 2018.

Judge Wilmoth told the court she considered the carjacking charge a serious offence.

"You showed a complete disregard for your victims," the Judge said. "You have a high level of moral culpability."

The court heard Coutts had a history of drug abuse and was on two community corrections orders at the time of the offending.

Judge Wilmoth said she took into account Coutts had pleaded guilty at an early stage and that most of the offending happened in one period.

"But general deterrence is a significant focus of this sentence," she said.

Coutts was sentenced to four years and four months in jail, with a non-parole period of three years. He has already served 351 days in custody.

His licence will be cancelled for four years from the date of sentencing.

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