A Mosgiel man who committed ''repeated acts of violence'' has been jailed for nine months.
Judge John Macdonald told the Dunedin District Court this week that nothing less would appropriately mark 29-year-old Jacob Jones' offending, which went on for more than a year.
''Really, your offending in one form or another involves expressions of anger on your part without much warning,'' Judge Macdonald said.
The first incident took place on August 18 last year, when Jones was driving out of a supermarket car park into Moray Pl in Dunedin's CBD.
He was angry about ''unrelated issues'' at the time, the court heard.
Jones began tailing a car driven by a 70-year-old man and pulled alongside him.
Judge Macdonald said the defendant was weaving to give the victim the impression he was going to crash into him.
Moments later, the threats were realised as Jones pulled behind the man and rammed his car twice from behind.
When the victim pulled over, the wild driver abused him and spat in his face.
In a statement before the court, the man said he was physically shaking after the incident..
''He found you spitting at him quite disgusting,'' the judge said.
Days later, Jones attacked a dog-control officer out of the blue.
The pair had clashed in the past but the victim was stunned by the man's behaviour that day.
Jones waved him down and then pounced.
When his punches were parried, the defendant picked up a piece of plastic piping and hit the officer over the head.
Judge Macdonald said the impromptu assault was ''bordering on the irrational''.
A year later, while on bail, Jones' strange behaviour continued.
''It was quite bizarre,'' the judge said.
While in the supermarket with a friend, Jones suddenly punched the man in the face and continued to hit him while he lay on the ground.
Counsel Ann Leonard said her client was concerned the victim had earlier made gang gestures in the presence of his partner and young son.
The explanation did not wash with the judge.
''I'm not sure what sort of example you are trying to set your son,'' he said.
Ms Leonard accepted Jones had ''a great difficulty controlling his emotions''.
Convictions for assault, dangerous driving, wilful damage and two for assault with intent to injure were added to the defendant's five-page list.
He was also disqualified from driving for six months.
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