Troy Rule faces Ballarat Magistrates’ Court for allegedly fleeing from police, losing temper at Ballan petrol station

A Ballarat prosecutor has told a court he didn’t think he had seen a “worse criminal history” in some 14 years when discussing the case of a serial dodgy driver.

Troy Rule faced Ballarat Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday over driving charges.

A Ballarat driver whose criminal history is one of the worst seen by a local prosecutor allegedly fled from police and threw food at a petrol station worker.

Troy Rule, 49, faced Ballarat Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday seeking a sentencing indication for three matters.

The court heard that in July 2022, Mr Rule drove a motorbike on Dowling St in Wendouree when he hit a station wagon in front of him.

It is alleged that at the time, Mr Rule was unlicensed and his bike was unregistered.

Staff at Ballarat Base Hospital then allegedly found in his possession heroin, cannabis, and a leaflet of oxycodone.

Mr Rule will return to court in July.

In October 2023, Mr Rule allegedly sped away from a petrol station when police behind him turned on their lights and sirens upon noticing his vehicle bore a stolen number plate.

And in April this year, Mr Rule entered a petrol station along the Western Freeway at Ballan.

The court heard the station’s operator stopped a petrol pump when he noticed Mr Rule’s car was not displaying number plates.

Mr Rule allegedly became aggressive towards the worker, throwing $15 at him, along with a tray of food and two Up&Go drinks.

He later told police: “I lost my s–t.”

The court heard Mr Rule used to work at a Ballarat wrecking company and recently suffered serious injuries as a passenger in a car accident.

Magistrate Guillaume Bailin said Mr Rule had “appalling priors”.

“With his history, if he simply gets in a car, he goes to jail,” he said.

Police prosecutor Steve Repac said he didn’t think he had seen a “worse criminal history” in some 14 years.

The matters will return on July 22.