A BUNGLING criminal was crushed by a car when he severed a suspension cable instead of a fuel pipe while trying to siphon petrol.

But Joseph Phillips, who has 141 previous convictions, denied being East Lancashire's most hapless criminal and said: "I just want to get my life together and settle down."

Burnley magistrates heard how a passing police officer spotted Phillips's arms and legs flailing underneath the car after it collapsed on top of him.

Phillips shouted: "I'm trapped, I'm trapped. Get it off me, I can't breathe," before the quick-thinking officer jacked the car up and released him before calling for help. The 33-year-old, who has 141

previous convictions, was left with an imprint from the car on his face and had to see a neurosurgeon.

Phillips, who has been on remand in custody, was jailed for 23 days but won his freedom as the time had been served.

As well as burglary offences Phillips also admitted firearms offences and stealing a car used by police forensic officers.

Joanne Shahzada, prosecuting, told the court the defendant stole petrol worth and brandished a screwdriver when a police sergeant went to arrest him.

The drama unfolded on June 20 when he was spotted struggling beneath the car by a police officer at around 2.50am.

Other patrols attended to try and get the vehicle off the defendant but by that time Phillips had stopped making any noise and his body had become limp.

The officer then got the jack from the boot of the vehicle, jacked it up and released Phillips.

He claimed he had been chased by two men and tried to hide underneath the car but beside him were a kitchen knife, a screwdriver and adjustable spanner.

Miss Shahzada said when Phillips was later interviewed, he admitted he had been trying to steal petrol, but things had gone wrong and the vehicle had crushed him.

The defendant, of Alan Haigh Court, Albert Road, Colne, had admitted vehicle interference, seven counts of deception, threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour and motoring allegations. He must pay £110 compensation and was banned from driving for two years.

Brian Irlam, defending, said now understood that crime does not pay.

Phillips had been in danger of being rendered unconscious and it was only thanks to the police he was perhaps here today. If the officer had not arrived when he did, the defendant may have died.

Mr Irlam added that after the defendant was rescued, he had to go to hospital for treatment. He now suffered headaches and blackouts and had to see a neurosurgeon.

Speaking after the case, Philips yesterday said he believed he was being unfairly targeted by the police because of his prolific criminal profile. He denied being one of the region's most hapless criminals, adding: "When I was younger I used to do a lot of burglaries and I never used to get caught.

"I am not into all that now I just want to get my life together and settle down."

Reliving the incident Philips said: "The weight of the car came down on my head and crushed it. I couldn't breathe and I nearly died. When it happened I was certain I was going to die."