A father's desperate plea to a judge who was midway through reading his sentence managed to save his son from prison "by the skin of his teeth."
Connor Moon, 21, had already been told he would be going to prison after he admitted to driving a van dangerously during a police pursuit while under the influence of cannabis, the Leicester Mercury reported.
Recorder Robert Spencer had told him: “The public would think I’d taken leave of my senses if I didn’t immediately send you to prison.”
But Connor's father, Peter Moon, interrupted the judge mid-sentence to beg his son be given "a change, please".
He said: “My son isn’t capable of surviving a jail sentence."
Speaking from the public gallery at Leicester Crown Court, he said Connor, who has mental health problems and learning difficulties, was "not mentally fit to live in this world, never mind mentally fit for jail."
Mr Moon then apologised "for the outburst," which could have seen him punished.
The recorder said Mr Moon had "spoken from the heart," adding: “I’m prepared to change my mind in the circumstance of this sentence.
“In the light of what your father has said, I’m prepared to suspend it. You have him to thank.
“You’ve escaped immediate custody by the skin of your teeth."
Connor was handed a six month sentence, suspended for two years. He was also placed on a five month curfew between 7pm and 7am and banned from driving for 18 months, as well as told to attend 15 days of rehabilitation.
Speaking to the Leicester Mercury outside the court, Connor praised his "absolute legend" of a father.
He said: “The judge had definitely made up his mind and I thought ‘that’s it, I’m going down.’
“Dad then started speaking – he’s an absolute legend.
“I owe him my freedom and I’d like to thank him for standing by me and also thank the judge.
“I definitely deserve the five month curfew as punishment, as I did something wrong and have to pay for it. I’ve learnt my lesson.”
Mr Moon thanked the judge for reconsidering and added: “I’ve never seen Connor more remorseful about anything."
