Confusion of what constituted a public highway led to a motorcyclist being charged with driving without insurance, Douglas magistrates were told.

For the prosecution, Barry Swain told the court police were tipped off by someone claiming a small motorcycle was being ridden around Clagh Vane in Ballasalla on March 24.

They were told the bike had gone to Balthane industrial estate and pictures were provided to them of the bike being ridden there by the defendant, 22-year-old Scott Baimbridge.

’Witnesses told them they saw the motorcycle being ridden through the industrial estate towards Derbyhaven. Police tracked him down there, close to the public footpath near to the airport fire station.

Baimbridge, of Crossag Close, told police he had bought the bike in August 2016, He said he had gone along the coastal footpath onto Derbyhaven Road.

When challenged about the condition of the bike and having no insurance, he told police: ’I’ve done wrong and I’ve been stupid.’

Mr Swain said the bike was examined at the test centre where they found a problem with the front brake lever.

Defending him, Kate Alexander said Baimbridge knew he was not supposed to ride on the road without documentation. She said he had pushed the bike from his home address and had got permission from a local farmer to use the bike on his land. But, she said, he did not appreciate he needed insurance to ride through the industrial estate.

’He did not appreciate this was a public highway. It was a genuine error on his part,’ she said.

She added the brake lever was damaged while he was using the bike. He was fined £600 with five points for having no insurance and £300 for the bike’s condition.