Champion powerlifter Wayne William Howlett's life of international sporting success and admiration had fallen apart months before he shot up a Hobart nightclub last year, the Tasmanian Supreme Court has heard.

Key points: Howlett's life had spiralled into drug addiction and depression after a powerlifting injury setback, his lawyer said

Howlett's life had spiralled into drug addiction and depression after a powerlifting injury setback, his lawyer said The court needs to weigh up whether Howlett's rehabilitation was more important than the safety of the community, the prosecution argued

The court needs to weigh up whether Howlett's rehabilitation was more important than the safety of the community, the prosecution argued The firearm Howlett used to fire 25 shots into a bar door was also fitted with a bayonet, and was found dumped in a garden bed

The 38-year-old has pleaded guilty to recklessly discharging a firearm and property damage at Pablo's Cocktails and Dream bar in Hobart's CBD in June last year.

Character references tendered in support of Howlett include one written by the bar's owner, the court heard on Wednesday.

On the night of the shooting, 30 patrons were inside the small bar when Howlett — in the company of an unknown accomplice — fired 25 shots from an ex-military semi-automatic rifle into the club's steel-clad door, the court heard.

Crown prosecutor Linda Mason told the court those inside the bar initially believed the shots were fireworks, as part of a nearby festival event.

She told the court the patrons were at "real risk of physical harm" from "a prohibited firearm capable of causing significant damage".

The shots penetrated the door's steel plating. ( Supplied: Facebook )

Howlett has said he has no memory of the shooting or why he called a taxi to his home, in Hobart's north, and travelled to the inner city bar armed with the combat rifle, at least seven boxes of ammunition and his face smeared with red paint.

The court heard Howlett had attempted to blow up the Hobart forensics laboratory in 2000. ( Facebook: Wayne Howlett )

His lawyer, Greg Richardson, described his client's actions as "bizarre", the only explanation being Howlett's relapse into drug and alcohol abuse bought about by a sporting injury in 2017.

"This is so bizarre, so out of the range of things that you would expect him to do … that alone would suggest that there is some kind of trigger, which is clearly explained by drugs," Mr Richardson said.

Howlett, a father of three, tore a bicep from the bone in 2017, his lawyer explained to the court, adding that even after specialist surgery in Melbourne, it was realised his client would never be able to compete at the same level again.

"His career, his world, came to an end," Mr Richardson said. "From 2017, he has been unable to complete in the sport that had given him his life."

Wayne Howlett poses with a tiger during a visit to Russia. ( Facebook: Wayne Howlett )

'Drug benders' after injury, court told

The court heard Howlett had a substance addiction-fuelled criminal history, marked by crimes of violence — including an attempt to blow up the Hobart forensics laboratory in 2000.

Despite his criminal history, Howlett had not committed any offences for more than a decade and had been drug-free for 17 years, the court was told.

Police found an SKS assault rifle similar to this one near the scene. ( Wikimedia Commons: szuppo, file )

Mr Richardson said his client was inspired to turn his life around after being introduced to the sport of powerlifting by a prison guard.

Howlett had gone on to sporting success and posted photos of his exploits on social media, boasting of a flamboyant lifestyle of luxury cars and private planes and posing with a tiger cub and bear while on holiday.

Mr Richardson told the court Howlett's inability to compete had robbed him of his drive and determination, sending him spiralling into depression.

"There was an intense sense of loss," Mr Richardson said. "He succumbed to temptation and started using cocaine very heavily, to the point where he would go for two or three days at a time on drug benders."

The judge has said Howlett could demonstrate remorse by naming his accomplice. ( Facebook: Wayne Howlett )

The SKS semi-automatic rifle, which was fitted with a bayonet, was found dumped in a garden bed in a nearby street after the shooting.

Police also found seven boxes of ammunition, each capable of holding 20 cartridges.

Hobart cocktail bar Pablo's Cocktails and Dreams, the scene of a shooting incident June 2018. ( ABC News: Scott Ross )

Ms Mason told the court Howlett's actions "couldn't be categorised as an impetuous crime as it required the discharging of that firearm on 25 occasions".

Howlett is trying to convince the court that he should be dealt with by way of a drug treatment assessment order.

Crown prosecutor Linda Mason said the court needed to weigh up whether an order aimed at rehabilitating Howlett from drug addiction was more important than the safety of the community and deterring others from behaving the same way.

Howlett's co-offender has not been caught by police. Justice Michael Brett said true remorse on behalf of Howlett would involve a full disclosure of the identity of his accomplice.

The sentencing submissions have been adjourned until March.