Druggie who rammed car at cop jailed

A NORTH-WEST man has been jailed for driving his car at a police officer and evading police.

Daryl John Streets, 41, pleaded guilty in the Supreme Court in Burnie yesterday to aggravated assault, evading police, driving while disqualified, driving an unregistered motor vehicle, destroying property and unlawful possession of property.

The court heard there were arrest warrants out for Streets when two uniformed police officers saw him in the driver’s seat of a car in a Devonport carpark on January 11.

Justice Robert Pearce said Constable Glenn Martin positioned the unmarked police car he was driving directly in front of the car driven by Streets, about 1m away.

“Constable Martin started to get out of the police car at which time the defendant accelerated heavily forward, ramming the front of the police car,” Justice Pearce said.

“The impact shunted the police car backwards and pushed Constable Martin off his feet from within the door frame of the car.

“He rolled sideways to avoid being struck. The defendant then accelerated away in his car with the front bumper hanging off and leaving a trail of fluid.”

Justice Pearce said Streets was arrested by another officer in Devonport an hour later.

The court heard a blood sample revealed Streets had the drug ice in his blood.

Justice Pearce said Streets had “a very long criminal history” including convictions for dishonesty, violence and driving offences.

“Much of his offending over the last 10 years arises from abuse of illicit drugs. He had been heavily using drugs in the lead-up to these crimes,” Justice Pearce said.

“That is not mitigating, but he has resolved to address his addiction while in prison.”

Justice Pearce said Constable Martin suffered minor injuries, but they could have been much worse.

“No doubt it was frightening for both officers. The police are entitled to the protection of the law and vindication of their authority in the performance of their duty,” he said.

Justice Pearce imposed a total jail sentence of 1½ years, with a non-parole period of one year, cumulative to a sentence Streets is already serving.

Justice Pearce also disqualified Streets from driving for two years upon his release.