A SOUTH East man faced court this week in relation to a drunken outburst where he crashed his friend’s car into a fence and then climbed onto the bonnet of another car.
Jeremy Climas, 19, appeared via video-link in the Mount Gambier Magistrates Court to be sentenced for four charges relating to the same incident.
The charges were driving a motor vehicle without consent, being an unauthorised person driving a motor vehicle, driving without due care and disorderly behaviour.
The prosecution said Climas was drinking and arguing with his friend’s girlfriend at around 4pm in Millicent on November 8, 2016.
Following the disagreement, Climas drove his friend’s car along the road before going up a footpath and scraping the vehicle on a wire fence.
He drove it a short distance further before he stopped and was pulled from the vehicle by his friend.
The court heard Climas was not given permission to use the vehicle.
A short time later at 5.40pm, a different witness was driving in Millicent when he slowed down after noticing a man in the middle of the road.
The defendant jumped on the bonnet of his car and began acting “strangely”.
The witness described Climas’ behaviour as bizarre and for a moment feared he was going to be victim to a “car-jacking”.
Following the incident, the witness called triple-0 and provided a description of the defendant to police.
Climas was located “passed out” a short time later.
The defendant’s lawyer said at the time of the incident his client had drug addiction problems and was drinking heavily.
“He accepts there was no reason he should have been driving,” the lawyer said.
The lawyer went on to explain his client’s difficult upbringing, which led to Climas becoming visibly upset during the hearing.
“He asked for his bail to be revoked last month so he could effectively detox in prison,” the lawyer said.
The court heard Climas is expecting to become a father next year and wants to set a good example for his child.
“While he has been offered drugs in prison, he has not taken any,” his lawyer said.
“He is desperate to be there for his child.”
Magistrate Teresa Anderson said it was pleasing Climas had shown insight into his underlying issues and that he wants to be a role model to his child.
“It is a positive motivating factor, but only if you remain committed to being drug and alcohol free,” Magistrate Anderson said.
Taking into account the time Climas had spent in custody since revoking his bail on August 24, Magistrate Anderson did not sentence the defendant to a further period of imprisonment.
Climas was convicted and placed on a $500, 12 month good behaviour bond and also required to complete 80 hours of community service.
His licence was disqualified for 12 months.
Climas was released from prison on strict bail conditions because he is still facing major indictable charges in the district court.
