Matthew Clifford Slabb, 31, faced Batemans Bay Local Court on Monday, December 17, pleading guilty to five charges. These included: resisting police, being armed with intent to assault police, using an offensive weapon to prevent lawful detention, escaping custody and possessing a prescribed restricted substance.

Police said officers were called to the intersection of Beach Road and Orient Street in Batemans Bay just after midnight on December 17 after receiving calls about a man walking in the middle of the road carrying a large knife and metal pole.

When police arrived at the scene, Slabb swung the pole at officers, before telling them to “f*** off” and running away.

During a short pursuit, police said Slabb pulled out a large kitchen knife with a 30cm blade and swung it above his head near police to avoid being arrested.

After running into a property in Herade Street, Slabb was arrested, but during a police search, managed to break loose and run away.

Officers caught up with Slabb and arrested him a short time later. Police seized three knives and a star picket pole.

During a police interview, Slabb told officers he was “zonked out on ice” and struggled to recall the incident.

In court, defence solicitor John Edmunds said Slabb had a long history of criminal offending.

“He’s just getting too old for this sort of thing and he needs to straighten his life out,” Mr Edmunds said.

In sentencing, Magistrate Doug Dick found special circumstances due to Slabb’s drug and alcohol issues.

Slabb was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment, with a non-parole period of four months. He was fined $600 for possessing the drug mirtazapine.