A pensioner who clipped a signpost must retake his driving test if he is to be allowed back on the road again.

William Stanley Hunter was seen mounting the pavement and hitting a give way sign at the end of Groves Road on February 21.

When police called on 80-year-old Hunter at his home in Cedar Grove in Douglas, they were able to match a broken-off wing mirror left at the scene, with his silver Renault Modus.

Hunter told police he had driven home from Johnny Watterson’s Lane that night but had no recollection of having an accident.

He had admitted careless driving but was called into court as magistrates were considering a driving ban in the interests of road safety.

Defending him, Aalish Hannan said Hunter was simply unaware he had hit the post. She said the weather was very bad, the car radio was on and it was a low kerb by the sign.

’There was no question of a memory lapse, he just did not know,’ she said, adding no other cars were inconvenienced and the speed was very low.

He was fined £100 with £50 costs and banned from driving until he passes a driving test.