A BUNGLING crook has appeared before Burnley Magistrates again and won his freedom for the second time in as many months.

Joseph Farrelly Phillips, 33, who has more than 140 previous convictions under his belt, admitted vehicle interference and theft from a car.

The defendant, of Alan Haigh Court, Colne, who has been in custody for six weeks, was given a 12 months conditional discharge by the bench.

The offences were committed before the defendant served his last period behind bars and before he made front page news in the Lancashire Evening Telegraph.

The court was on told on June 22 that Phillips was said to have been looking round a car to see if there was anything to steal. His fingerprints were found on a compact disc in the vehicle and he claimed it had already been broken into.

Overnight between July 13 and 14 the defendant broke into a car parked on a drive and helped himself to the front of a radio.

On August 4, Phillips had been remanded in custody, accused of going equipped for theft.

The allegation was discontinued on September 16 and the magistrates yesterday allowed him to go free because he had served the equivalent of a three month sentence even though the charge was dropped.

On August 2, Phillips had made the headlines when it was revealed he had almost lost his life committing yet another car crime. Phillips had cut the suspension cable instead of the fuel pipe while trying to siphon petrol from a car.

The court had then heard how a police officer spotted the defendant's arms and legs flailing underneath the vehicle after it collapsed on top of him.

The quick thinking officer then jacked up the car to release the defendant. Phillips was left with an imprint from the car on his face and was expecting to see a neuro-surgeon.

The defendant, who at that time had been remanded in custody, was then jailed for 23 days but won his release as the time had been served.