A ’R’ plate driver who crashed his car and admitted dangerous driving has been banned for two years and sentenced to community service.

Labourer Robert John Hamilton-Hunter, of Ballafesson Road, Port Erin, hit an embankment so hard the engine came away from his car and landed nearby.

Deputy High Bailiff James Brooks ordered the 24-year-old to do 180 hours unpaid work and retake his test at the end of his ban.

He will also be under ’R’ plates for a further two years from the date he passes his test.

Prosecuting advocate Roger Kane told the court that Hamilton-Hunter was driving a white Seat Ibiza on May 21 at 8am, going to work in Ramsey.

He entered the 11th milestone and lost control of the vehicle causing it to go into the opposite carriageway and collide with an embankment.

Such was the force of the crash that the engine came away from the car and came to rest a short distance away.

A witness described Hamilton-Hunter’s driving as ’reckless, thoughtless and dangerous’ saying that he had overtaken halfway around a bend on the climb to Cronk y Voddy.

A second witness also said he had been overtaken by the Seat Ibiza travelling at speed.

When interviewed by police Hamilton-Hunter said he had passed his driving test earlier this year.

In the interview he denied dangerous driving but admitted he was driving without due care.

The court heard that he has a conviction in 2017 for the same offence, dangerous driving, which involved a police chase.

A probation report said that Hamilton-Hunter had been working hard to make changes to his life but had been going through a difficult time.

working

The report said he had been working as a labourer for two years and was on his way to work at the time of the accident.

Hamilton-Hunter said that he may not have taken into consideration that the road was wet.

Defence advocate Kate Alexander said: ’Mr Hamilton-Hunter has made positive changes since 2017.

’He has not driven since the accident in May so we would ask the court to take into account he has not been driving for four months.’

Deputy High Bailiff Mr Brooks told Hamilton-Hunter: ’What you did was extremely foolish and the driving was dangerous.

’It is even more difficult to understand given your previous conviction.

’I hope this isn’t how you drive on a day-to-day basis. If it were not for your guilty plea I would have had no hesitation in sending you to prison.’

He must also pay £50 prosecution costs.