A homeless methamphetamine addict jailed on Thursday for 18 months over a police pursuit in Glenroy has been warned to kick his habit or face a life ruined.
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Magistrate Richard Funston told Daniel Paul Franco not to rack-up an illicit drug debt while behind bars.
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Nevertheless, he said Franco was "still a young man that's got hope" if he stopped using drugs.
"This is a serious driving incident; it's lucky he wasn't killed or killed someone else."
Police were forced to draw their firearms after the pursuit when they saw Franco - who continued revving his car in a failed attempt to free his car and drive away - reaching down for a possible weapon.
They later found a 20-centimetre knife.
Defence lawyer Dominic Holles argued the seriousness of the knife possession charge was negated by Franco living out of his car.
"I don't think there's any question of full-time custody given his history," he said.
"My instructions are that he does want to start living a normal life."
Mr Holles said Franco, 30, was raised at Narrandera then moved to Griffith to work, but got bored and began using methamphetamine and cannabis.
In response, Mr Funston said Franco was "just on a huge, drug-fueled bender" at the time of the pursuit on April 24.
Franco pleaded guilty to the pursuit and other charges including disqualified driving, two counts of possessing methamphetamine and goods in custody.
That final charge related to $3000 in stolen items, including jewellery.
He will be released on parole on February 23, 2021.
