But Christopher Campbell Bennett has been given a final chance to atone for his criminal behaviour.

Magistrate Tony Murray ordered the sentence be dealt with by way of a section 12 bond.

That means the whole seven-month term has been suspended on the proviso that Bennett, 31, be of good behaviour for seven months.

Bennett had pleaded guilty to drive without consent of owner, resist police, drive recklessly, furiously or speed manner dangerous, possess prohibited drug and drive while disqualified.

The court was told previously that the victim filled her car with fuel at the Caltex service station on Union Road, Lavington, on February 15 at 4.20pm.

Bennett jumped into the car and drove off at speed onto Union road while the woman paid for the petrol. She had left the keys in the car.

Bennett, who had refused her desperate pleas to get out of the car, sped off on the wrong side of the road and narrowly missed several cars.

These included a woman with her two children, who were horrified by the sight of Bennett’s car heading directly towards their vehicle.

A guard rail prevented her veering off the road so she slammed on the brakes, leading to Bennett swerving off the road.

Police found Bennett was carrying 0.7 grams of methamphetamine.

They then tried to arrest Bennett, though he attempted to break free of their grip.

Bennett was convicted and fined $300.