AN ICE user has been released from jail after ramming a police van in an incident that left two officers shaken.
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Damian Rupert Clark, 29, quickly accelerated the silver Ford Falcon into the side of the Wodonga divisional van on June 21.
General duties officers had spotted the vehicle outside a drug den on Belgrade Avenue, near Hague Road, about 3.30pm.
Clark reversed the Ford into a driveway and police stopped on the other side of the road.
The 29-year-old accelerated across the road and hit the back corner of the police vehicle before running from the scene with a passenger towards London Road.
Clark slipped over while sprinting away and was arrested by one of the officers from the van.
His passenger was found at a home nearby.
Victim impact statements from both officers were read out in the Wodonga Magistrates Court on Thursday.
One officer said he was “totally stunned” by the incident.
“I expect to go home safely each day,” he said.
The second Wodonga officer expressed similar concerns, noting that he should be able to “go home to my family each day without anxiety and stress”.
Clark gave no explanation for his actions, other than being high on drugs.
Magistrate Peter Mithen noted there were questions about whether he purposely hit the van, but it didn’t matter.
“Two police officers were placed in danger, simple as that,” he said.
“The reason you’re here today is because of drug use.
“Only you can fix that.”
He released Clark on custody, having served 182 days.
Mr Mithen also imposed a $750 fine and two year driving ban.