A recently-released prisoner who narrowly missed a police officer after driving at him on Christmas Day 2020 was sentenced in the Launceston Magistrates Court to 26 months jail.
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At times during sentencing Leonard William Riley, 28, played with a yellow ball as Magistrate Ken Stanton denounced his behaviour during just seven weeks of freedom last year.
"In overview you committed 23 offences on 10 occasions between March 10 and December 25, 2020," Mr Stanton said.
"All charges relate to illicit drug use during the short time you were released from custody which suggest that you had no intention of rehabilitation.
The March 10, 2020 offence was in Risdon Prison when he threw a cup of hot water onto the arm of a corrections officer.
Last week Riley's defence counsel Olivia Jenkins sought a drug treatment order, an alternative to jail if conditions are abided by, saying he previously lacked support upon release.
But Mr Stanton said a report from Community Corrections put Riley's attitudes in perspective.
"Upon release you were collected by a cousin and went to another cousin's [house] and upon arrival used methylamphetamine," Mr Stanton said.
He said there were just four days when Riley did not use drugs during the seven weeks of freedom.
Mr Stanton handed down sentences of six months, five months and three months for evading police when he was either a disqualified driver or driving recklessly.
Police prosecutor Robert Shepherd told the court about an incident when Riley was driving a black Hyundai.
"The vehicle did a U-turn and the officer believed he was going to be rammed so he alighted from the motorcycle. It accelerated and drove straight at him and the officer lost his footing," he said.
"When the black Hyundai was two to three metres away it swerved to miss him and as it did a hand came out the window and gave him the bird."
Mr Stanton said the risk from his manner of driving was high. "You clearly intended to convey an intention to strike which would have been distressing," he said.
He said an assault in which Riley bit the finger of a police officer was a vicious and vindictive act.
Mr Stanton said the number of offences exceeded those for which Riley received a 12 month sentence in November 2019 from which he was just released.
"In my view they are of more serious character," he said.
He said that Riley's background in which he used cannabis from the age of 11 was disturbing and tragic.
"But that is little mitigation for the adult offending you have done," he said.
He said protection of the community was significant factor in his sentencing.
For an aggravated burglary in Newstead in which he reversed his car at a homeowner Riley was sentenced to three months jail.
His fingerprints were found on a bedside table at the home from which he stole jewellery worth $500 and a bag with $150 cash.
He was disqualified from driving for six years dating from December 25, 2020.
Mr Stanton set non parole periods on the sentences.
"Parole doesn't matter," Riley said.
Ms Jenkins told the court last week that Riley preferred to serve out his sentence rather than seek parole.
The lack of supervision upon release was a reason why Riley reoffended, she said.
Mr Stanton said Riley had not demonstrated any desire to rehabilitate or remorse.
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