Michael Phillips: Unlicensed Ballarat driver reconsiders friendship aside after ‘stupid’ arrest

A man has told a Ballarat court how a friend used him and caused his arrest, making him look “absolutely stupid”.

A man arrested in Ballarat for unlicensed driving has told a court his life changed the day police pulled him over.

Michael Phillips appeared in Ballarat Magistrates Court on Monday charged with unlicenced driving.

The court heard that on the evening of April 14, 2021, police intercepted Phillips driving on Hamilton Avenue.

He told police he was unlicensed, and checks confirmed he had not renewed his driver’s licence since being disqualified in 2014.

During a police interview, Phillips said he was “picking up a mate”.

In court on Monday, Phillips said he “really pulled my head in” the day he was caught, explaining he felt betrayed by his then-friend.

“I had so much going on through my head,” he said.

“I thought I knew who my friends were.

“The friend I was going to pick up that night actually caused a car crash, which I didn’t know.

“It just made me angry after I realised what had actually happened — he’d caused a crash on drugs and asked me to pick him up to get him away from the scene.

“When I picked him up the police turned up at the scene and caught me as well, so it just made me absolutely stupid.”

Phillips said he hadn’t spoken with the man or touched any drugs since the incident.

He said his only priority was being able to provide for his 21-year-old quadriplegic son, who broke his neck slipping off a porch as a teenager.

“I really need to apply for my licence for my son’s sake,” Phillips said.

“I don’t need to drive anywhere except to get medication or to supermarkets … I just want to look after my son – that’s all I want.”

Phillips pleaded guilty and was convicted and fined $2500.