A pensioner who drove dangerously on the Mountain Road, overtaking several cars and even forcing one car off the road, has been fined £1,200.

Peter Langley Gunning, of Kings Court, Ramsey, overtook several cars with three witnesses reporting his driving.

The 79-year-old was also fined another £150 for having no vehicle licence and banned from driving for one year with an order the retake his test at the end of the ban.

Prosecuting advocate Hazel Carroon told the court that Gunning was driving a Mercedes 500 SL from Ramsey to Douglas on the Mountain Road in the early afternoon of September 21.

One witness driving in front of him said that he was ’tailgating’ her, straddling the white centre lines of the road, then overtaking her after Windy Corner, despite there being three or four cars in front of her.

She said that he continued to overtake in an area marked by double white lines.

She then said that she witnessed him nearly collide with another vehicle.

The witness said they continued behind Gunning then saw him cause another car to drive into a hedge to avoid him.

A second witness reported seeing Gunning drive around a blind corner on the wrong side of the road.

A third witness described similar incidents and said that Gunning’s driving was ’aggressive’ and ’extremely dangerous’.

When interviewed by police Gunning admitted that he had had to force his way back into a queue of cars during one overtake and said that he believed he may have forced one car onto grass.

He admitted it was not taxed saying: ’I’ve only used it twice since owning it as it needed a few repairs.’

The court heard that he has no previous convictions.

Defence advocate Paul Glover said: ’Mr Gunning turns 80 at the end of the month.

’I would submit this is an exceptional case. He has had a clean licence for several years.

’Thankfully no-one was hurt.

’He accepts his driving was dangerous and is extremely apologetic to members of the public.’

High Bailiff Jayne Hughes also ordered Gunning to pay £50 prosecution costs.

He will pay the fine and costs at a rate of £100 per month.