A MAN who was shot in the head with a homemade gun descended into drug use and crime after the incident, a court has heard.
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Danny Mark Smart’s family believe he is still suffering from the incident in August 2008.
He had been attacked by Robert Goldson and Steven Stebbings while he visited the home of Goldson’s girlfriend.
Goldson had a homemade gun which lodged a bullet into Smart’s head.
The incident occurred in Melbourne and was so concerning, Smart’s parents and younger sister moved from from the city to the country.
The Wodonga Magistrates Court recently heard his drug use and crime were linked to the shooting, which left him with significant health issues.
“All his offending flowed after that event,” lawyer Jason Henke told the court.
“Unfortunately that’s led him into doing drugs, your honour.”
Smart remains in custody after his latest offence, which targeted two police officers in the Elgin’s car park in Wodonga in the early hours of June 1.
Police noticed a silver Holden Commodore with false plates about 2.45am and activated their lights.
Smart sped straight at the divisional van and swerved at the last second, only narrowly missing the officers.
He sped across a footpath and nature strip and drove down Lawrence Street.
The court heard the officers had been in fear of being struck by the vehicle, which belonged to his girlfriend.
Despite initially denying he was at the wheel – a position magistrate Ian Watkins said “might be problematic for him” – Smart admitted to the offence.
Mr Watkins said he was looking at jail followed by a corrections order, with the matter returning to court on Monday.