Jarrod Graham was caught behind the wheel in the Wangaratta area four times in four months at the end of 2017, despite having a disqualified licence.

Ian Watkins sentenced him in Wangaratta Magistrates Court this week for what he said was “extremely dangerous driving”.

The most serious offences occurred on December 30 when Graham, driving a Toyota Hilux, overtook what he did not realise was an unmarked police car.

Police activated their lights and sirens, but instead of pulling over, Graham drove away, putting others at risk with actions such as running through a red light.

Barrister Jonathan Rattray argued his client’s conduct was at the lower end of dangerous driving.

“He was all over the road, but not high speeds,” he said.

“There was some level of self-restraint imposed.”

Mr Watkins did not agree.

“He probably didn’t have the opportunity to crank it up to high speeds,” he said.

“Any number of those incidents could have led to serious collisions or fatalities, to you or other motorists.”

Graham had a history of offences including dangerous driving, disqualified driving and separate charges of failing a drug and alcohol test.

The court heard he was completing a community corrections order for prior offences, but failed the required drug screens.

Mr Watkins said a longer corrections order was needed this time and sentenced Graham to complete an 18-month order on his release from jail, to address his drug addiction, and disqualified his driver’s licence for another 12 months.

“Clearly he’s back here languishing under an addiction to drugs,” he said.