A MAN who had his sentence deferred for a series of offences, including driving under the influence of drink and drugs during a car chase, has avoided prison.

Dylan Phair, of Castlebalfour Park, Lisnaskea, appeared at Enniskillen Magistrates Court to be sentenced for a range of offences including three charges of criminal damage; driving when unfit through drink or drugs; dangerous driving; failing to stop for police; failing to stop, remain and report a damage-only accident; using a vehicle in a dangerous condition; obstructing police; using a motor vehicle without insurance; and the fraudulent use of a vehicle registration mark, which all relate to an incident on February 22, 2020.

With sentencing deferred from February of this year, Phair appeared at Enniskillen Magistrates Court on Monday to discover his fate.

The court heard on February 22, police were alerted by a member of the public to two males believed to be heavily intoxicated and driving a Vauxhall Vectra with a Republic of Ireland registration plate.

On arrival at Rooney’s Eurospar, Enniskillen, police located the car at a car park to the rear of the shop with two males present. Phair was sitting in the driver’s seat and there was a strong smell of alcohol.

When asked to take a roadside breath test, Phair started the car and reversed into the police car. He also hit another car in the car park before driving off and heading towards Enniskillen.

The car then collided with a BT communications box on the Cornagrade Road, close to the ambulance station, which caused £4,000 worth of damage.

The defendant did not stop the car but continued on to the Belfast Road and was pursued by police as he reached speeds of more than 100mph, and carried out dangerous undertaking of cars using the hard shoulder.

During the 12-minute pursuit, Phair attempted to ram police to aid his escape, and used evasive manoeuvres as he headed towards Donagh.

The car engine eventually seized due to oil loss from an earlier collision, and Phair got out of the car to try and avoid capture, but he was arrested in a field 200 yards away.

Another case against Phair for possession of cannabis was also deferred, in which a grinder was found in a car he was driving in Newtownbutler on July 9, 2020.

He made a full admission, saying he had bought it a few days previously and it was for his personal use.

He admitted to taking cannabis and alcohol, but did not engage further with the police.

Phair’s barrister, Ciaran Roddy, said that with those set of facts before the court, Phair is lucky he was not sent for indictment.

He said Phair was “ashamed of his behaviour” and said he was all too aware of the devastating effect of this kind of behaviour on the roads.

Mr. Roddy said Phair’s sentence was deferred on the condition he does not re-offend, and that he engages fully with Probation, which he has done.

This has seen his risk of reoffending fall from high to medium, which is significant in regards to the success of the deferral, Mr. Roddy added.

District Judge Steven Keown acknowledged Phair’s success in working with Probation but pointed out the conclusion in Probation’s report which said that while the defendant had the knowledge, understanding and skills, he would have to manage himself in the community, and Probation could only “do so much”.

Phair was handed a six-month sentence, suspended for two years, disqualified from driving for two years and fined £500, with Judge Keown telling him he “can’t afford any more slip-ups”.