An unlicensed driver who crashed his partner’s car into a trolley parking bay at Ramsey Shoprite has been fined.

And the then partner, who owned the car and was a passenger at the time of the crash, has also been fined.

Prosecutor Barry Swain told the court how ’significant damage’ was caused to the trolley bay when a Renault Megane hit it on September 16, at 10.45am.

The driver was Tyrone David Geno Hughes, aged 25, of Withington Road, Douglas.

He admitted driving without due care, having no driving licence, and driving with no insurance and was fined £650 and disqualified from driving for six months.

The car was owned by Maxine Hill, aged 21, of Oak Avenue, Douglas.

She admitted permitting a vehicle to be driven without a licence or insurance and was fined £450 and had her licence endorsed with six penalty points.

When quizzed by police, Hill said she had felt ill and Hughes had offered to drive.

She said she was under the impression he held a provisional licence.

Advocate Louise Cooil, who represented both parties, said Hill had been suffering from headaches.

She said Hill had initially declined Hughes’ offer to drive but had then not felt well enough to drive.

’She didn’t make sufficient enquiries as to whether he had a licence,’ said Ms Cooil.

’There was insurance in place but Mr Hughes was not covered.’

’Upon the accident taking place they went into Shoprite and informed them.

’Ms Hill then drove them away.

’Mr Hughes accepts responsibility. He wanted to help Ms Hill but accepts it was a stupid mistake.

’He froze and had a flashback to an accident he had been involved in as a passenger.’