A van driver who was seen holding his phone at the wheel and driving without insurance has been fined.

Daniel Marran, of Homefields Villas, in Ballasalla, also had his licence endorsed with eight penalty points.

Meanwhile, the 24-year-old also admitted a charge of being drunk and disorderly, committed on a separate date.

Prosecutor Rebecca Cubbon told the court that Marran was seen by police holding his phone while driving a van on Quarterbridge Road on July 22 at 4.30pm.

He was initially issued with a fixed penalty notice but did not pay it.

Marran was also given five days to produce insurance but when he did it was found to have started on July 31 after the offence.

He told police he had just bought the van and been told he would be insured to drive it.

On October 27, at 3am, police were at the Courthouse bar in Athol Street when Marran was escorted out by security staff.

He was said to be smelling of alcohol and unsteady on his feet.

Aggressive

Marran was said to be annoyed after he was ejected and said: ’Get the real police here you’re always on the bouncers’ side.’

He then tried to press a button on one officer’s radio and was warned he would be arrested.

However, Marran continued being aggressive and shouting despite his friends trying to calm him down.

He was eventually arrested and taken to police headquarters.

Defence advocate Stephen Wood said: ’We don’t say this to offer an excuse but we would ask the court to accept Mr Marran had been punched in the face by a member of staff.

’He is in the process of providing a statement to the police.

’He was agitated. Clearly he should have just left the matter to the police. He should have waited until the following day to make a complaint in the sobriety of police headquarters.’

Policy

Regarding the insurance offence Mr Wood said that Marran had been told by the friend he bought the van from that he would be insured.

However the insurance policy was said to have specified that permission could be given to drivers who are aged over 25.

’He is a plasterer. He has a lot of equipment, travelling around the island.

’Without a licence he is not going to be able to work,’ said the advocate.

Marran admitted the three charges.

He was fined £750.

High Bailiff Jayne Hughes also ordered Marran to pay £125 prosecution costs.