A motorist whose car ended up on its roof when he was distracted by a group of chickens crossing the road has been fined.

William Michael Reubens, of St Mark’s, crashed his son’s car while driving on Orrisdale Road, Ballasalla, on September 25.

Local farmers helped to move the Volkswagen Golf, turning it back over.

Reubens, aged 47, admitted two charges, one of careless driving and one of having no insurance.

He was fined £450 when he appeared before magistrates on Thursday and also had his licence endorsed with six penalty points.

The court heard how, on September 15 at 8.25am, Reubens crashed the car, with the vehicle ending up on its roof.

Reubens was uninjured in the crash but the car’s windscreen, roof and tyres were damaged.

Defence advocate Louise Cooil said: ’He had been driving along at between 30mph and 40mph when a group of chickens came out from a farmyard and he moved to avoid them.

’He looked back and then went into a ditch before hitting a large stone which caused the car to flip.

’He accepts he shouldn’t have looked back.’

She added: ’It was not excessive speed and not dangerous driving.

’It was a simple momentary lapse of concentration.’

Reubens told police officers that he was insured to drive the car, which he said belonged to his son.

However, it was later found that he was not in fact covered on his son’s policy.

The advocate said that Reubens had bought the car for his son and that his son had organised the insurance.

’Mr Reubens had been under the impression he was insured to drive the car,’ said Ms Cooil.

Magistrates also ordered Reubens to pay £50 prosecution costs.