A Laxey man has been convicted of breaking the speed limit for an ’R’ plate driver.

Jaye Nicholas Martin Birchall, of Glen Road, pleaded guilty in the magistrates’ court to exceeding the 50mph speed limit which R plate drivers must abide by.

However, Birchall, who is 20, argued that he had been driving at around 60mph whereas a police officer estimated that he was driving at 90mph. A Newton hearing will now be held to settle the disputed facts before Birchall can be sentenced.

The court heard how, on January 1 at 7.20pm, a police officer on patrol saw Birchall driving on May Hill in Ramsey, heading towards the Mountain Road.

The officer reported that Birchall was displaying ’R’ plates but was travelling at speed.

When stopped Birchall said that his dashboard lights had gone out so he didn’t know what speed he had been doing.

He said: ’I just put my foot down before going back to normal.’

Birchall entered a basis of plea in court accepting that he had exceeded 50mph but denying doing 90mph. The case was adjourned until April 20.