A MAN who rammed a delivery driver with a stolen van while "high as a kite" has been jailed for six months.
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Rhys David Scerri, 39, appeared in the Bendigo Magistrates' Court on Friday where he pleaded guilty to five charges including reckless conduct endangering serious injury.
The court heard on May 24 this year, the delivery driver left his white Mercedes van parked outside a property in Ballarat East.
The man was returning to the car after delivering a package when he saw Scerri sitting in the driver's seat.
The delivery driver stood in front of the car in an attempt to stop Scerri from leaving. When Scerri did not drive off, the man moved towards the driver's side door.
The court heard that was when Scerri drove at the victim twice, hitting the man in the upper body area, before speeding off.
The court heard some of the items that were left in the delivery van were recovered at a Soldiers Hill property a few days later. The Mercedes van has not been located.
Scerri also admitted to stealing a set of number plates from a car in Melton on June 26.
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Defence lawyer Robert Morgan told the court Scerri had been "high as a kite" during the offending because he had a "massive" ice addiction.
Mr Morgan said the crimes were "atrocious and appalling", but also impulsive and opportunistic.
The defence lawyer submitted that a straight jail term would be an appropriate sentence.
Magistrate Megan Aumair said the only available sentence was a term of imprisonment.
Ms Aumair convicted and jailed Scerri for six months. His licence was also cancelled and he was disqualified from driving for 12 months.
If he did not plead guilty, Scerri would have been jailed for 12 months and received a 12-month community corrections order.
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