A banned driver who was spotted behind the wheel by police has been handed a suspended prison sentence.

Michael James Watterson, of Ballakilley Close, in Port Erin, was sentenced to 20 weeks’ custody, suspended for two years.

Watterson, aged 30, was also banned from driving for a further 12 months.

Prosecutor Richard Butters said Watterson was disqualified from driving in December 2013 for six years for drink-driving and jailed for 16 weeks.

However, on March 28, Watterson was seen driving past the Shore Hotel at Gansey by a member of the public.

Watterson was then seen by police driving in Castletown and then again later, arriving at his home address.

He was spoken to and admitted that he was banned from driving.

Watterson was also given a 12-month probation order in 2014 for driving without insurance and other offences.

Defence advocate Darren Taubitz handed in references for his client and said that he had not been before the court for four years.

Mr Taubitz said that Watterson had been driving because he was picking up a boat engine part in Castletown.

’He is quite rightly ashamed of his actions,’ said the advocate.

’He is worried about losing his accommodation should he be given custody.

’I have represented Mr Watterson for over a decade and see him as a very different young man from when I met him.

’He seems to be very motivated. He begs for a final chance.’

Mr Taubitz went on to say that Watterson was attending meetings with the Drug and Alcohol Team, was making real progress in his personal life and had suffered a family bereavement in tragic circumstances in the last few months.

Chair of the magistrates Julian Ashcroft also ordered that Watterson pay £50 costs.