Father’s plea to judge that saved his son from prison
A SON facing jail for dangerous driving was spared prison when his father launched an impassioned plea to the judge from the public gallery.
Connor Moon, 21, was in court after fleeing police and crashing a van in what one officer described as the worst driving he had seen in his 20-year career.
The judge, Recorder Robert SpencerBernard, told Moon he was jailing him, adding: ‘The public would think I had taken leave of my senses if I didn’t immediately send you to prison.’
But Moon’s father Peter interrupted the sentencing at Leicester Crown Court to plead with the judge. He said he feared his son, who has mental health problems and learning difficulties, would not survive a jail term. Normally judges do not take kindly to anyone interrupting court, but Mr SpencerBernard listened to his plea – and decided to suspend the sentence.
He said: ‘I’m prepared to change my mind ... in the light of what your father has said.
‘You’ve escaped immediate custody by the skin of your teeth – it won’t happen again.’
The court heard that Moon, of Earl Shilton, Leicestershire, had four passengers in a borrowed van when he careered across a mini roundabout and on to a path in February, causing a pedestrian to dive into a hedge to avoid being hit. He had smoked cannabis, and was driving at 50mph in a 30mph zone.
Jonathan Dunne, prosecuting, said the bad driving also included overtaking a queue of traffic and bursting a tyre. Moon admitted dangerous driving, driving under the influence, failing to stop for a police officer, and having no licence or insurance.
Mr Spencer-Bernard said Moon had previous convictions for careless driving in February last year and had twice been disqualified.
He said it was ‘sad’ he had to lock him up but added: ‘That’s what I am going to have to do.’ But he changed his mind after listening to Moon’s father, and Moon was instead given a six-month sentence suspended for two years, and placed on a five-month 7pm to 7am tagged curfew. He was banned from driving for 18 months.
Moon thanked his father outside court. He said: ‘The judge had definitely made up his mind and I thought, “that’s it, I’m going down”. Dad then started speaking – he’s an absolute legend. I owe him my freedom ... I definitely deserve the five-month curfew as punishment, as I did something wrong and have to pay for it. I’ve learnt my lesson.’
Mr Moon said: ‘ Connor is my world, I’ve had custody of him since he was ten. I couldn’t sit by without saying something, I know he can turn his life around.
‘This is Connor’s chance to prove himself – and not let me or the judge down.’