Is this motorist beyond the law? (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Is this motorist beyond the law?

Gary Philpott Picture Ref: 77156-344A NOTORIOUS drink-driver with 28 previous motoring convictions was back in court after failing to stick to a community rehabilitation order.

Gary Philpott, 45, of Brain Court, Stratton St Margaret, was handed the order in April this year when he was caught driving while banned, just eight months after leaving prison for the same offence.

But he only managed to comply with the order for a few months and was in breach of it by July.

He appeared at Swindon magistrates court yesterday where he pleaded guilty to the breach and to failing to surrender to court on August 9.

Police dubbed Philpott, a carer for his elderly mum, a "menace who is oblivious to the law" when he was last in court.

Defending Rob Ross, said that Philpott had failed to keep to the conditions of his order, which included attending a Think First programme, because his mother had been in hospital.

He said: "His mother is 80, she is disabled, she has problems with her legs. She has been in hospital for six weeks now.

"This has affected him.

"He has been back and forth to the hospital everyday."

Philpott only escaped a prison sentence when he was last caught driving while disqualified after magistrates heard how he looks after his mother.

The car enthusiast was caught driving while disqualified for the 24th time on March 28 this year after police spotted him driving with his brother.

He was less than 10 months into a three-year driving ban, which he was handed in May last year after being caught drink-driving.

That month he was also jailed for six months for driving while disqualified and drink-driving and served half his sentence.

Philpott has five previous convictions for drink driving and 23 for driving while disqualified, dating back to 1978.

He does not work as he is a full-time carer but he does make money by buying cars and fixing them up, the court heard.

The case was adjourned for a pre-sentence review.

Philpott was bailed on the conditions that he lives and sleeps at his home address, reports to Swindon police twice a week and keeps all appointments with the probation service.

He will be back at Swindon magistrates' court on September 27 at 9.45am.

Gareth Bethell