A ROBINVALE man claimed to have 26 children in order to gain a $15,000 education allowance from tax authorities, a court has heard.

Darcy Urquhart appeared by video link before Mildura Magistrates' Court last Friday to face a number of charges.

The court was told Urquhart had called the Australian Tax Office through an automated system to claim an education benefit, telling the system he had 13 children in primary school and 13 in secondary school.

He was allocated a credit of $15,000 but did not receive the allowance before the claim was detected.

Magistrate Michael Coghlan said it was an absurd claim and one for which Urquhart was always going to get caught.

The 35-year-old was sentenced to a month's jail, wholly suspended.

If he reoffends in the next 12 months, he will serve the jail term and pay $500.

Urquhart also pleaded guilty to charges including criminal damage, recklessly causing injury and unlicensed driving after going to an acquaintance's house and damaging a garage door so badly that it fell off its hinges.

The court was told the incident started when Urquhart, who had been drinking with the victims, noticed $30 missing.

After going to the victims' house and demanding the money, he threatened the pair and assaulted both, leaving a woman with scrapes and bruises.

Urquhart was also sentenced over his role in a fight at a Robinvale property, where he arrived with others and began throwing punches at a number of people, including a female and a teenager.

The incident was witnessed by a four-year-old child and members of the public.

Urquhart's counsel said during the offending the accused was using methamphetamine daily and had been trying to get access rehabilitation programs.

On all charges, Urquhart was sentenced to 90 days' jail. He has so far served 47 days on remand.