A delusional drug addict who drove so dangerously while he was as high as a kite and could have killed a range of drivers is expected to walk free from prison in less than three years.
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Derryam Grimes, 22, of Bourke, was a learner driver when he embarked on the crime spree on April 3, while he was on parole after a stint in jail.
On Wednesday, Dubbo Local Court heard Grimes only had his licence because he participated in a program that encouraged him to get behind the wheel while in jail.
He pleaded guilty to triggering a police pursuit, driving a stolen car, not giving details to another driver he collided with, driving in a dangerous manner and using an offensive weapon to prevent his lawful detention on April 3.
Grimes swerved into oncoming traffic in Narromine when police tried to stop him.
When they stopped pursuing him, he drove to Dubbo and was eventually caught after speeding through city streets and doing burnouts.
Police had to pull out their guns to arrest Grimes near the South Dubbo Tavern.
His legal representative claimed Grimes was sexually assaulted when he was seven years old by someone he trusted.
She said he started using crystal methamphetamine, the drug known as ice, when he was 12 years old and it was introduced to him by people in his home.
Grimes had no regard for whether he lived or died and was affected by illicit substances and delusional thoughts when he went on his crime spree, his legal representative told the court.
She conceded he had a disregard for public safety and was diagnosed as suffering schizophrenia.
Visiting Magistrate Roger Prowse said Grimes, who appeared in court via an audiovisual link from the Wellington Correctional Centre, had a "hideous" record and has been committing offences since 2009.
He noted Grimes' distressing upbringing and criticised the Aboriginal Legal Service (ALS) for not submitting any documents about Grimes' mental health and childhood trauma, which he said could have "easily been obtained".
Magistrate Prowse also criticised Dubbo police for not filling out paperwork properly when they laid the charges against Grimes.
He also criticised the ALS for allowing Grimes to plead guilty to an offence that was not properly disclosed by police and ended up being dismissed.
"You need to accept help," Magistrate Prowse told Grimes before sentencing him to a fixed term of two years, seven months and 24 days in prison.
Grimes was also disqualified from driving a vehicle for three years.
He could be eligible for release from prison in November 2021.
