A JUDGE told a dangerous driver “this court doesn’t dance to your tune” as he gave him a final chance to get a probation report – from behind bars. 

Jamie Milligan, 30, was behind the wheel of a Mini Clubman when he drove dangerously in Bridgemead on December 12, 2018. 

He was on the run for over a year before the police finally caught up with him in January, when he was granted bail. 

Milligan said he had tried repeatedly to contact the probation service using others’ phones to arrange to speak to them for a pre-sentence report – but had not had any success.

His brief, Letitia Egan, told Judge Jason Taylor QC her client did not have a phone of his own as he did not want old associates contacting him and encouraging him back into his old life of crime.

That line of argument came unstuck partway through the hearing at Swindon Crown Court yesterday when, from the dock, Milligan told the judge he had his own work phone. 

“Why didn’t you give your work phone number to probation?” Judge Taylor asked him. 
He replied: “I don’t keep it with me after-hours.” 

Earlier, the judge told Ms Egan: “He hit a car which contained a mother and two children then he went on the run for a prolonged period of time and now probation have chased him for a report. It seems to always be somebody else’s problem.” 

After being told he would be remanded in custody, Milligan made an impassioned plea for his liberty. He told the judge he “held his hands up” to what he’d done wrong and had been trying his hardest since to stay on the straight and narrow. He would lose his job if he was remanded. 

Judge Taylor would not budge, telling the defendant: “This court doesn’t dance to your tune. You’re remanded in custody.” 

Milligan, of Biggs Square, Hackney, has previously pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and failing to surrender. He will be sentenced on May 4. 

Susan Cavender appeared for the Crown Prosecution Service.