Derbyshire man “deliberately” crashed his mother’s car during feud

Oak McPhail ploughed his mum’s VW Golf – taken without her permission - into the rear of the Ford Transit during a confrontation with other men.

Chesterfield Magistrates Court heard McPhail was already serving a driving ban at the time of the April 14 incident.

Prosecutor Fatima Laher told magistrates McPhail, 23, had two others - including his girlfriend - in the car at the time of the crash.

During a police interview the defendant made no comment about the background to the collision.

However, during McPhail’s court hearing his solicitor Steve Brint said the events unfolded after a “chance meeting”.

McPhail, of Whaley Thorns, bumped into the two males while they were helping someone move properties at the time.

Mr Brint said his client had been assaulted by them on “a number of occasions” and decided to “warn them off”.

However, after realising they were carrying “metal objects” McPhail drove into the back of the van while trying to escape.

The solicitor added: “There’s no doubt Mr McPhail has questionable thinking skills.”

He said the majority of the defendant's previous offending was connecting to motoring offences.

McPhail, of Mary Street, Whaley Thorns, admitted aggravated vehicle taking, driving while banned and without insurance, failing to report an accident and failing to stop after an accident.

A magistrate told him: “I’m sure you realise these were very serious offences - you were fully aware you were disqualified.

“You took your mother’s car and you deliberately drove into a vehicle with the intention of causing damage.

“The bench takes these matters very seriously and it crosses the custody threshold.”

However the magistrates stepped back from sending McPhail to custody.

Instead he was jailed for 16 weeks suspended for 18 months, handed an 18-month driving ban, a 10-week curfew and 25 rehabilitation activity days.

The defendant was also ordered to pay £85 court costs and a £128 victim surcharge.

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