A motorist who lost control of his car which then hit a tree has been fined.

Robert Karl Howard, aged 24, of Snugborough Avenue, Union Mills, admitted a charge of careless driving when he appeared before Magistrates on Thursday.

Prosecutor Barry Swain told the court that Howard was driving on King Edward Road in Onchan in a Peugeot 206 on April 27.

He said that his car clipped the kerb and he lost control of the vehicle, colliding with the tree.

No other vehicles were involved in the incident and he was not injured.

Mr Swain told the court that Howard was driving with ’L’ plates and was supervised at the time.

Defence advocate Michael Mudge said: ’Mr Howard informs me that the weather was incredibly poor on that day.

’Despite being under the speed limit he accepts he should have been driving slower.

’I would submit this can be chalked up to inexperience.’

Magistrates fined Howard £500. He also had his licence endorsed with four penalty points.

Howard must pay £50 prosecution costs.

He will pay both the fine and costs at a rate of £20 per week.