A motorist who was seen by police using a mobile phone while driving on a main road has been fined.

Michael Thomas Osborne, of Glenneedle, in Lower Foxdale, admitted the offence in magistrates’ court and was fined £400.

Osborne was also fined £50 after admitting a licence offence.

The court heard how, on December 15, Osborne, aged 26, was driving a Ford Transit van along Peel Road out of Douglas.

Police were parked outside the fire station on Peel Road and as Osborne drove past they noted he was holding a mobile phone to his ear.

He was stopped at Braddan Bridge but denied he had been using a phone saying his was at home.

Police found the phone in the footwell of the van but then Osborne said: ’I didn’t know it was there, it has no battery.’

It was also discovered that his licence had expired on December 10.

Defence advocate Paul Rodgers said that his client had held a full driving licence for 10 years and driven on private land at a farm since he was just six.

’His licence had only expired five days before he was stopped,’ said Mr Rodgers.

’He had passed his HGV test and wanted to go to the next class test.

’He was taking a course but it was cancelled and he had hoped to apply for the higher licence.

’He didn’t take the course because of the weather and overlooked the licence.

’He has gone on to hold that licence.’

Osborne also had his licence endorsed with four penalty points and was ordered to pay £50 prosecution costs.