A teenager from St John’s has been fined and banned from driving after admitting four driving-related offences.

Nathan Owen Briggs, of The Hope, pleaded guilty to using a mobile phone while driving, having no insurance, failing to conform to a traffic direction, and failing to produce a driving licence.

Briggs had previously denied the mobile phone offence and a trial had been due to take place on Friday, May 24.

The 19-year-old was fined £700 and had his licence endorsed with 10 penalty points.

Briggs already had three points on his licence so he was disqualified for six months under the totting-up process.

Prosecutor Roger Kane told the court that on May 16 2018 at 4.35pm, Briggs was seen by police at St Ninian’s traffic lights, in Douglas.

He was holding a mobile phone in his hand and appeared to be filming.

He was stopped by police and told them: ’My friends and me play a game where we take photos of police cars. I deleted the photo straight away.’

On September 13 at 6.15pm, Briggs was seen driving on Christian Street in Ramsey.

He drove down a one-way street the wrong way and, when confronted with two vehicles coming the other way, mounted the pavement.

A witness reported the incident to police.

When questioned by officers, Briggs said that he was unfamiliar with the road and had not seen the one-way sign.

The court heard that he had received three points on his licence previously for failing to display ’R’ plates.

Defence advocate Ian Kermode said: ’Regarding the mobile phone offence, he accepts driving towards the lights.

’He did have the phone in his hand while stopped at the lights and accepts he did begin recording.

’He entered the not guilty plea without seeing an advocate.’

Mr Kermode said that his client was currently doing community service for an affray offence from July 2018, working at the Hospice warehouse.

’He is between jobs but has made an application for Job Seekers Allowance,’ said the advocate.

’He has been offered work with his mother’s business but would need his driving licence.’

Magistrates’ chair Ken Faragher said of the change of plea for the mobile phone offence: ’You couldn’t have left that much later could you?’

Briggs was also ordered to retake his test at the end of his ban and display ’R’ plates for two years once passed.

He must also pay £200 prosecution costs.