This pilot was proven to be a serial rule-breaker, making the decision to fly numerous times even though he was well aware that he wasn't allowed to do so. He knew it, he took the chance and he got caught. I fail to see how anyone (including the pilot) could expect that he wouldn't be prosecuted, even with playing the "lifesaving" card.
A one-off occurrence he might have got away with, but his constant disregard of the regulations was always going to end in tears.