DRUG-FUELLED DRIVER HIT 100MPH IN SMASHED UP AUDI
Disqualified motorist caught on the roads twice in six months
BANNED driver Michael Phillips has been caught behind the wheel – twice in six months.
The 30-year-old was found to have cocaine in his system when police first stopped him following a disturbance in Bentilee. And on the second occasion he refused a breath test after driving friends to Mcdonald’s.
Magistrates at North Staffordshire Justice Centre heard the first offence took place on March 28.
Prosecutor Alicia Perry said: “Police received information that an Audi A1 had been involved in an altercation in Bentilee. The rear window had been smashed before it fled at some speed.
“Officers saw the vehicle on the
A50 heading towards Meir. The Audi swerved around the officers’ vehicle and accelerated away from them. The vehicle was travelling at 100mph.”
Phillips left the A50 at Meir and stopped the vehicle in Woodville Road. A roadside drugs swipe was positive and he was found to be over the limit for cocaine.
The second set of offences took place on September 8, when police received a report of a vehicle suspected to have false numberplates.
Miss Perry added: “While driving along Victoria Road they had sight of the vehicle at a BP petrol station. Officers requested a roadside breath test. The defendant refused.”
Phillips, of Heathcote Road, Longton, pleaded guilty to two charges of driving while disqualified, drug-driving, failing to provide a specimen of breath for analysis, and driving without insurance.
The court heard he had two previous convictions for drugdriving and failing to provide a specimen, leading to driving bans.
Zoe Leese, mitigating, said Phillips felt he had to commit the March offence. She said: “The vehicle was being attacked and he had feared for his safety so he drove away. The car showed damage to indicate this was the case.
“He accepts his behaviour on the second occasion was stupid. He offers no explanation as to why he was driving on that occasion.”
Magistrates handed Phillips a 20week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, with a 20-day rehabilitation activity requirement and 140 hours of unpaid work.
He was disqualified from driving for a further 36 months and must pay £398 in court costs and charges.
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