Dramatic footage of the moment a Canberra man drove into three police officers has been played to the ACT Supreme Court during a sentencing hearing.
Thomas Matthews, 31, was initially charged with three counts of attempted murder.
But he later pleaded guilty to two counts of negligence causing grievous bodily harm.
The charges were downgraded when it emerged Matthews had been suffering the effects of inappropriate medication prescribed for his serious mental illness.
Court documents revealed the officers had just issued a caution to a driver they had pulled over near the National Arboretum when they were hit by another car, which veered towards them.
The ABC has chosen not to show the moment of impact when the three officers are hit with considerable force.
Officers suffer broken bones, spinal injury
One officer landed on the bonnet, hit the windscreen with his head and back, and was thrown forward.
Another was trapped under the car.
The man who had just been cautioned by police moments earlier can be seen restraining Matthews as he got out of the car.
The officer who was trapped under the car was left with a broken leg in three places.
The officer who was thrown from the bonnet suffered a spinal injury and has ongoing back and muscle pain.
The third officer suffered a bruised thigh.
The court heard two of the officers were still in training, being supervised by a senior officer.
The evidence suggested Matthews had applied the brakes immediately before he hit the group.
Schizophrenia diagnosis preceded incident
During a mental health assessment after his arrest, Matthews said he did not "remember much" of the incident.
He also stated his mental health had been fine at the time.
But on Tuesday, the court heard he had been diagnosed with schizophrenia only months earlier and was taking several different types of medication that had affected his vision.
Defence lawyer Jack Pappas said his client's negligence had been to drive when he was suffering vision problems.
Mr Pappas said the accident was very different to someone "mentally whole" involved in such conduct.
"We are a long way from willed negligent behaviour," Mr Pappas said.
"He was medicated in circumstances where no one told him don't drive."
But prosecutor Anthony Williamson said Matthews had blackouts and blurred vision and knew he should not be driving.
One thing they both agreed on though, was that Matthews's responsibility was reduced because of his mental illness.
Mr Williamson said it was indisputable that Matthews suffered from schizophrenia and his moral culpability was reduced.
Matthews has already spent a year in jail, although he is now free on bail.
Chief Justice Lucy McCallum will have to decide if Matthews should spend more time in jail or perhaps serve a sentence in the community under supervision.
Matthews will be formally sentenced next month.
