Bradd Thatcher, 33, of Young Street, Baldivis, WA, was convicted of assault with intent to take a motor vehicle, high range drink driving, dangerous driving, driving with a cancelled licence, not stopping when directed to, and possessing drugs in Goulburn Local Court last week.

The 44-year-old Moss Vale taxi driver picked up Mr Thatcher in Roe Street, Moss Vale, at around 9.15pm on Tuesday, January 19.

After having his luggage on the back seat, Mr Thatcher told the driver to go to Robertson Oval and then fell asleep. The driver called the taxi base to discuss calling the police after failing to wake Mr Thatcher at Robertson.

When Mr Thatcher awoke to hear the police being mentioned he became aggressive, hit the driver in the face and turned off the radio when the victim tried to call for help.

Mr Thatcher moved to the driver's seat and, after driving a short distance, threatened to bash the victim.

He got out of the car and pushed the victim before getting back in the driver's seat and taking off. He sped away from police when they tried to pull him over on the Illawarra Highway at Moss Vale.

Police said the habitual traffic offender reached speeds of 80kmh in a 50kmh zone before reaching 140kmh on the highway. The pursuit was terminated at Sutton Forest when the taxi reached 170kmh heading towards the Hume Highway.

Mr Thatcher then collided with the rear of a four-wheel drive on the highway between Marulan and Goulburn before trying to pass between two trucks, one of which was overtaking the other. He hit both, crashed through a guardrail and into a paddock before getting tangled in fencing as he tried to drive back to the road.

The truck drivers and a passing motorist held Mr Thatcher after he grabbed his bags and tried to walk away.

Mr Thatcher blew 0.165 at Goulburn police station. Police also found a quantity of methamphetamine on him when he was searched.

The taxi driver was treated for minor injuries at Bowral Hospital.

Magistrate Geraldine Beattie sentenced Thatcher to a total of two years imprisonment, with a non-parole period of 16 months. She also disqualified him from driving for six years.