48-year ban driver laughs after bungle sets him free
One of Scotland’s most notorious drivers punched the air and laughed after a case against him collapsed because bungling prosecutors forgot to sign court papers.
John Phillips – who has racked up nearly 50 years in driving bans since 2007 – walked free after an eagle- eyed sheriff spotted the Crown’s blunder.
Phillips laughed and shouted “yes” before leaving Perth Sheriff Court.
The mistake came to light last week, just minutes before he was due to stand trial on a series of new driving charges.
The 26-year-old, who had previously been jailed for drunk and dangerous driving, was about to enter the dock when Sheriff Richard MacFarlane noticed the error.
Sheriff MacFarlane said: “I don’t think it’s going to be a trial, because the complaint’s not signed.
“It seems that the Crown is devoid of any attempt at a signature, so the case does not call.”
Phillips – who was described as “car-obsessed” and had convictions for 34 previous offences – skipped out of the court after being informed what the mistake meant.
He had been due to face charges of driving while banned, without insurance or an MoT certificate, and failing to stop for police officers.
He was also alleged to have failed to provide a breath specimen when it was suspected he was drink-driving in various streets around Perth on July 5.
Phillips is subject to a 10- year ban imposed in February last year when he was jailed for 20 months for a string of driving offences.
He was already banned when he sped off from a pub and drove at such speed through Perth that police officers chasing him at more than 70mph struggled to catch him.
Officers were advised to give up their pursuit because the highspeed chase posed too much of a danger to passers-by in a built-up area.
Phillips had been drinking before hitting high speeds and racing through several red lights, but he eventually lost control and smashed into a postbox and telephone box near a primary school. He was able to run away from the scene and was found hiding in a nearby garden, the court heard.
Phillips refused to give a breath specimen.
The court was told he already had one of the country’s worst driving records and, as he was jailed, Phillips turned to friends in the public gallery and stuck his tongue out.
Sheriff Fiona Tait berated him, saying: “Why do you feel it’s necessary to turn and stick your tongue out?
“You shouldn’t feel it’s a matter you should be congratulated upon.”
Phillips was also jailed for dangerous driving in 2012.
He has been convicted of dangerous driving, drink- driving, having cocaine and numerous other offences, and bans totalling 48 years have been imposed upon him.