Christmas in prison for amputee

A one-legged man who leapt out of a wheelchair to confront a store security guard will spend Christmas behind bars after being jailed for 98 days yesterday.

David Phillips – who has 110 previous crimes on his record – was found guilty of causing fear or alarm by jumping out of his wheelchair to tackle Kumar Gurung.

The 51-year-old, from Perth, reacted angrily after being accused of trying to steal a £370 electrical shaving kit from Boots in Perth High Street.

Phillips was charged with challenging Mr Gurung to fight during the confrontation on August 31 this year.

The amputee – who has committed a string of crimes of dishonesty during a 36-yearlong criminal career – was found guilty of threatening or abusive behaviour.

He also admitted stealing two bottles of perfume from Debenhams on August 27 and fragrance from Beales on September 1.

Perth Sheriff Court was shown CCTV footage of Phillips picking up an expensive electrical item in Boots and placing it in his lap before moving off towards the exit.

In previous cases, Phillips was caught leaving Morrisons with £100 of whisky.

He was also apprehended for housebreaking because of the trail of right-footed prints he left at the scene.

In 2011, the same court heard how Phillips carried out a fourmonth crime spree.