When appearing in the dock, criminals are given the opportunity to put their side across to the court. For many, this gives them the chance to hold their hands up, apologise and move on.
If only this was always the case. Some defendants go to extreme lengths to justify their behaviour, giving bizarre and ludicrous reasons for breaking the law. READ MORE: The Manchester Evening News has looked back over some of the most absurd excuses given to judges. Michelle McMullan Mum Michelle McMullan was banned from driving after she was caught at the wheel with cocaine in her system.
She was seen to swerve in the road. She told the police she swerved because her dog had been sick in the back. McMullan, 46, from Didsbury , south Manchester, was pulled over in her Mercedes in Cheshire last year.
She was drug tested as there was a "strong smell" of cannabis coming from the car. She was later found to have cocaine and one of its by-products in her system.
Read more on manchestereveningnews.co.uk