A WOMAN'S car was smashed with a tomahawk during an "outrageous episode of road rage" in Huntly, a court has heard.
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Anthony John Cole, 37, appeared in the Bendigo Magistrates' Court on Tuesday where he pleaded guilty to four charges stemming from the incident.
The court heard on April 3, 2019, Cole was driving a Toyota Corolla along the Midland Highway in Epsom. He had two passengers in the car.
As they approached the intersection with Howard Street, the Corolla collided with another vehicle.
The woman driving that car pulled to the side of the road so she could speak to Cole, but the 37-year-old and his passengers began yelling at the woman.
The court heard the victim was scared so she sped off towards Huntly with Cole's vehicle following closely behind.
After driving through Huntly, the woman attempted to turn around and head back to Bendigo but Cole's passenger threw a tomahawk at the vehicle, smashing a window.
The court heard the victim sped off again and Cole followed, with the two vehicles reaching speeds of about 150km/h.
The victim called 000 twice, telling operators she was being followed and she was trying to get away.
The woman arrived at the Bendigo Police Station and spoke to officers. The court heard she was emotional and trembling.
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Cole's Toyota Corolla was parked outside of the station and the officers spoke to the occupants.
Cole told police the initial crash in Epsom was the victim's fault. He said they followed her car because she was trying to flee the scene.
Defence lawyer Robert Southgate told the court Cole was "embarrassed" about the offending.
Mr Southgate said the 37-year-old had been diagnosed with anxiety and depression, and had issues with his physical health.
Magistrate Patrick Southey described the incident as an "outrageous episode of road rage", which would have "terrified the poor woman".
But Mr Southey said given Cole had pleaded guilty, a community corrections order would be an appropriate sentence.
Cole was convicted and sentenced to a 12-month community corrections order. His licence was also cancelled and he was disqualified from driving for 12 months.
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