A father told police he drove dangerously rushing to hospital because his baby was ill.

The court heard that Darren James Foster, of Mona Street, Douglas, stopped on the way to buy cannabis before being arrested by police.

The 47-year-old admitted dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, having no insurance, and possessing cannabis.

Prosecuting advocate Barry Swain said police saw Foster driving a Volkswagen Golf at 10.55am on October 16 at Derby Square in Douglas.

He was said to be exceeding the speed limit as he drove towards Derby Road and slowed at a stop sign, but did not stop.

He turned onto Park Road and drove the wrong way done the one-way street before stopping. As officers approached he ran off and threw an item over a wall into the former school site.

He stopped when told. Cannabis valued at £43 was found.

Foster was banned from driving in 2009 with an order to retake his test but had not done so. He was convicted of driving while disqualified in 2018.

He told police his partner had given birth and the baby was ill so he had decided to take her car to the hospital. He then decided to stop at an address to buy cannabis and panicked when he saw a police car.

Advocate Ian Kermode said: ’Mr Foster was not driving during the currency of the ban, it was simply that he had not resat his test. It was a small amount of cannabis.’

Foster will be sentenced on November 26 once a probation report has been completed.

Bail was granted.