A Ballarat father of two has been sentenced to six-and-a-half years' jail for shooting another man in the face.
The Supreme Court heard Craig Price was under the influence of methylamphetamine when he drove to the victim's Clover Street home in Wendouree on April 20, 2020.
From the driver's seat of his stationary car, the 52-year-old used a shortened rifle to shoot through the open passenger window in the direction of the victim, who was standing in the driveway.
The bullet hit the 25-year-old in the face.
The court heard that Price was upset after being teased over an earlier assault.
"You did not intend to shoot him but to scare him, not for the bullet to strike him," Justice John Champion said during sentencing on Friday.
The victim was taken to Royal Melbourne Hospital where he underwent multiple surgeries.
The court heard the victim sustained permanent facial disfigurement and had issues with sight, smell and eating.
"These injuries have undoubtedly had a large impact on him," Justice Champion said.
Despite Price telling investigators where he had dumped the rifle, an extensive search failed to find it.
Price pleaded guilty in February to recklessly causing serious injury in circumstances of gross violence and being a prohibited person possessing a firearm and ammunition.
He was earlier charged with attempted murder and other serious charges but these were dropped.
The court heard Price now felt "rotten for what he did" and "wishes you could turn the clock back".
Significant childhood trauma
The court heard that from a young age Price was physically and sexually abused by his father, who also abused his mother.
After his parents separated, Price's mother began a relationship with his uncle. Price was later abused by his uncle and also in boys homes across Victoria.
He received $100,000 compensation for the abuse suffered at the boys homes but spent it within six months on drugs and his family, the court heard.
Justice Champion said Price attended school until age 12 and soon after began using drugs and alcohol.
Price suffered from mental impairments — including complex post-traumatic stress disorder and schizophrenia — for most of his life, impacting his ability to make calm and rational decisions, including at the time of offending.
"I accept your disorders will make prison more burdensome and that your mental health is at risk unless you receive ongoing support," Justice Champion said.
Price has spent 781 days in pre-sentence detention. He will be eligible for parole in four years.
