A man has been sentenced for driving at a fuel tanker and a woman after he was denied service at his local pub.
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Donald man Raymond Tatarskyj, 47, will spend the next year on a community corrections order after pleading guilty in the County Court to reckless conduct endangering life, reckless conduct endangering serious injury, and unlicensed driving.
On the evening of February 11 last year, Tatarskyj attended the Woods Street pub and was served a shot of bourbon, but the licensee told him it was his last because he was already alcohol-affected.
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Tatarskyj tried to obtain another drink from the licensee's partner, but the licensee told her he was cut off and service was refused.
Tatarskyj became verbally abusive towards patrons and staff and got into his mother's Nissan Pulsar, the wheels squealing as he performed a U-turn and drove up Woods Street on the wrong side of the road.
He turned around and drove back towards the hotel, into the path of an oncoming prime mover carrying fuel.
The truck driver moved towards the left to avoid Tatarskyj but was blocked by parked cars.
The driver estimated Tatarskyj drove towards him for about 50 metres, and only pulled out of the way about five metres from the front of the truck.
As Tatarskyj approached the pub, he drove at the licensee's partner and an outside area where patrons were gathered.
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The licensee's partner told the patrons, "Get inside, he's lining us up", before moving into a driveway to avoid being hit.
She estimated Tatarskyj missed her by about five metres.
Tatarskyj then drove back up Woods Street, avoiding a collision with an oncoming vehicle, and overtook the prime mover carrying the fuel.
He stopped and got out to yell at the driver.
Tatarskyj was unlicensed at the time.
When he was interviewed by police, Tatarskyj said he had driven to buy ice cream as he needed some sugar being diabetic, but the service station was closed so he went to the pub.
He said he "lost it" because his brother had recently rolled his car, and was on several medications, including Endone.
Judge Gerard Mullaly said Tatarskyj's conduct towards the licensee's partner was "dreadful" and his actions were frightening for the truck driver, who knew the volatility of the load he was carrying.
"I have watched the dash cam footage... and well understand the truck driver was shocked and in fear," Judge Mullaly said.
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In sentencing, the judge noted Tatarskyj had a number of serious health problems that caused him depression and anxiety, and he had a lifelong problem with alcohol abuse.
Judge Mullaly said Tatarskyj had a history of driving offences, particularly in the late 1990s and early 2000s, with four drink-driving or refusing breath test offences.
He told Tatarskyj he should have obeyed the road rules and respected the safety of others.
Judge Mullaly said a community corrections order could act as both a punishment and an avenue for rehabilitation, and it was appropriate in this case.
During his 12-month order, Tatarskyj must undertake 100 hours of unpaid community work as well as assessment and treatment for substance abuse and mental health issues.
Any treatment will be credited towards his community work hours.
He is also banned from driving for a year, and any licence he holds is cancelled.
Had Tatarskyj pleaded not guilty and been found so, he would have faced 10 months' imprisonment and a two-year community corrections order.
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