A man facing court has learnt the hard way that calling a magistrate a “f---ing idiot” is not the best way to convince him you have changed your violent ways.
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Trent Draper had spent more than seven months in jail since his arrest over charges including reckless conduct endangering serious injury, criminal damage, and making threats to kill.
He appeared in Wangaratta Magistrates Court via video link this month to plead guilty.
The bad behaviour started on April 27 when Draper, who was unlicensed, sped up to 120km/h to overtake three cars on the wrong side of the road on Federation Way at Boorhaman.
An off-duty NSW highway patrol officer coming the other direction had to swerve into the dirt to avoid a crash.
Three days later, Draper was seeking psychiatric treatment at Wangaratta hospital but was taken away by police when he started being aggressive towards staff and throwing around equipment.
He was taken to the train station, but did not leave the city and was arrested again when he stole $42 worth of food and cigarettes from the APCO service station.
When he was in the police cells, he blocked the toilet and threw bodily fluids at the camera.
Police prosecutor Senior Constable Sarah Williamson said Draper was released on bail and put on a train on May 3, but again became aggressive when told it would not stop at Wodonga.
“The accused punched and kicked both the exit doors, causing them to smash,” she said.
She said Draper also grabbed a man who tried to stop him, causing bleeding, and threatened to kill everyone on the train.
V/Line applied for restitution, asking Draper to pay $2000 to cover the train repairs and $75 to fix the windscreen wiper of a company car he broke after getting off the train.
Draper told the court he had been researching mental health in custody and was choosing to get better.
“I’m remorseful towards the victims, I’m sorry - that’s all I can say really,” he said.
“It pretty much boils down to drug use.
“If I get out and I touch drugs, I know I’ll be back.”
Draper argued he did not need a mental health assessment, but magistrate Ian Watkins said it was necessary to ensure there was evidence the issues could be managed.
This caused Draper to storm out of the room, saying he would not be cooperating.
“You f---icking c---head, you f---ing idiot,” he said.
The case was adjourned until February.
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