A MAN smashed a random driver's car with a baseball bat during a "brutish" attack in the centre of Bendigo, a court has heard.
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Christopher Ashley Greenwood, 27, appeared in the Bendigo Magistrates' Court last week where he pleaded guilty to charges including criminal damage.
The court heard on February 23 last year, the victim was at a supermarket carpark in Bendigo when Greenwood shouted abuse at him from his car.
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The victim followed Greenwood's vehicle to the intersection of Queen Street and Edward Street, where Greenwood got out of his vehicle and ran at the victim with a baseball bat.
Greenwood threw the bat at the car and the victim reversed his vehicle, but Greenwood lunged again, smashing a rear window to cause $800 in damage.
The victim was able to leave the scene and contact police. The incident was captured on CCTV footage.
Greenwood was later arrested and made admissions to police.
Defence lawyer Christine Callaghan told the court Greenwood was homeless at the time of the offending.
Ms Callaghan said Greenwood, who had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and ADHD, had his first alcoholic drink in seven months on the day of the offending.
The defence lawyer said her client had not consumed alcohol since that night and Greenwood was now receiving support from the Bendigo and District Aboriginal Co-operative.
Ms Callaghan submitted that a community corrections order would be an appropriate sentence.
Magistrate Russell Kelly said Greenwood had displayed "brutish behaviour" during the incident.
Mr Kelly said the 27-year-old needed to seek treatment for his mental health because he was looking at time in prison if he continued to offend.
The magistrate sentenced Greenwood to a 12-month good behaviour bond with conviction. He was also ordered to pay the $800 in compensation to the victim.
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