A motorist who drove into the back of a car at traffic lights and then drove off has been banned from driving.

Gary David Smith, of Anagh Coar Road, admitted five driving offences and was handed a six-month ban, fined £900 and ordered to pay £360 in compensation to the owner of the damaged car.

Prosecutor James Robinson told the court that on April 1 at 1.15pm, a woman said she was driving a Ford Focus on Circular Road in Douglas. She was stopped at traffic lights when her car was hit from behind. Both parties got out of their cars but the woman heard Smith swear and say: ’It’s sound, there’s no damage.’

She pointed out a crack in her bumper. But as both parties were going to pull into the side of the road she said Smith performed a U-turn and drove away.

U-turn

She called police and Smith was found at Westmoreland Road. He said he had walked from Pulrose. But in interview, Smith admitted driving the Picasso, saying it was his employer’s vehicle.

He had seen it parked with a notice to move it on so had decided to move it to a private car park as the tax was out of date. Smith had given a woman passenger a lift.

At the traffic lights, he said he thought the lights had changed and the Focus would pull away, adding he was driving at no more than 5mph. He claimed he had not seen any damage and his passenger had convinced him to ’do one’.

The court heard Smith’s driving licence had expired and he had only held a UK one for the last 20 years, despite being in the Isle of Man.

Advocate Kate Alexander said: ’He was moving the car for his boss to avoid it being taken away and has given a lift to someone. He deeply regrets listening to the person in the passenger seat before driving off.’