Dziergas, of Union Street Cargo, was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm for an incident in Canowindra. He also answered charges of possession of a prohibited drug and escaping from police custody in Goulburn on March 2.

The court was told alcohol and cannabis had been major problems for Dziergas for years but he was willing to attend treatment. His solicitor told the court that he had pleaded guilty at the earliest available opportunity.

Mr Lucas said Dziergas was entitled to a discount for his guilty plea. “These are however very serious matters.” He sentenced Dziergas to four months’ imprisonment for possession of a prohibited drug.

On the charges of assault occasioning bodily harm and escape police, Mr Lucas said he had no alternative but to sentence Dziergas to a full-time custodial sentence. He handed him 12 months in prison with a non-parole period of nine months.

He will be eligible for release on December 2. Dziergas was also been committed to stand trial on charges of aggravated sexual assault and detaining a person to gain advantage. He will answer those charges in Orange District Court later this month