A Kirk Michael man has been sentenced to community service after causing a car crash which badly injured another driver.

Shaun Richard Whear, of Kerro Cruin, pleaded guilty in magistrates’ court to causing serious bodily harm by driving without due care or consideration.

Whear was ordered to perform 120 hours’ community service and was disqualified from driving for 12 months, with a condition to retake his test at the end of his ban.

The 47-year-old initially claimed that oil on the road had caused the crash but after an expert’s report ruled that out, he accepted responsibility.

Prosecutor Barry Swain told the court how, October 9, Whear had been driving towards Kirk Michael from Cronk-y-Voddy when he lost control on the bend near the 11th milestone.

His car slid into the opposite carriageway and colliding with an oncoming vehicle driven by Andrew Baker.

Mr Baker suffered a punctured lung, a fractured ulna, fractured ribs and a dislocated toe.

Whear was also injured, suffering a cracked sternum. Neither driver was found to have been intoxicated.

Mr Swain said: ’It would appear it was simply down to Mr Whear’s standard of driving at the time.’

The prosecutor went on to say that, happily, after being treated for very serious injuries, Mr Baker appeared to have made a good recovery.

Defending Whear in court, his advocate Jim Travers handed in two character references on behalf of his client.

Mr Travers told the court that Whear had only one previous conviction, more than 10 years ago.

The advocate said: ’He is a married man running his own property maintenance business on the island. He is extremely well thought of in his industry.

’Naturally there will be a significant impact by any disqualification today but he has been realistic about the price he will have to pay.

’I submit this can be put down to a momentary error of judgement on a sweeping bend. He lost control despite assertions he was not travelling at excessive speed. In the aftermath he acted with compassion and responsibility checking on the aggrieved party before himself.

’Mr Whear was also taken to hospital and remained there for a significant time. He remains remorseful for his actions on that day.

’It’s difficult to pinpoint why his vehicle didn’t safely manoeuvre the bend but he accepts it was his responsibility.

’The profound and far-reaching effects of this sentence will be felt many months from today.’

Magistrates’ chair Lisa Horton said: ’We have noted your responsible actions at the time of the accident even given your own injury. We are happy to hear Mr Baker has made a good recovery and feel community service is the best way to deal with this.’