A 25-year-old motorist has been fined £1,000 for careless driving and having no insurance.

Jaye Nicholas Martin Birchall admitted both offences and also had his licence endorsed with seven points.

Prosecuting advocate Roger Kane told the court that police were on patrol in an unmarked vehicle on Andreas Road on February 1 at 7.20am.

They witnessed Birchall perform an overtake manoeuvre on a ’S’ bend while he had no clear view of the road ahead.

Police reported that it was lucky that nothing was coming in the other direction.

He was subsequently stopped and apologised saying: ’I was in a rush and running late.’

Birchall was given five days to produce his insurance but later produced a certificate which showed insurance starting at 9am on the day he was stopped.

The court heard that he already had four points on his licence for a no insurance offence in February 2019.

Defence advocate Kate Alexander handed in letters of reference for her client.

’Mr Birchall accepts this was an error of judgement,’ said the advocate.

Regarding the insurance, Ms Alexander said that Birchall, who lives in St Stephen’s Meadow, had bought the car the day before he was stopped and thought he had bought insurance online.

However, he had then checked with the insurance company and found that the policy had not started until after the incident.

’It was genuine error rather than a deliberate act,’ said Ms Alexander.

Magistrates fined Birchall £350 for careless driving and £650 for having no insurance.

He must also pay £50 prosecution costs and will pay all amounts within 30 days.