A man who caused his partner to crash their car into a wall by grabbing the steering wheel has been fined £750.

Andrew Cookson-Smith, of Ballachurry Avenue, Onchan, is currently serving in the Merchant Navy so he was dealt with in court via a conference call.

The 45-year-old pleaded guilty to damaging property with a second offence of tampering with a vehicle withdrawn.

Prosecuting advocate Rebecca Cubbon told the court how Cookson-Smith’s partner picked him up on November 17, 2019, at 3.55am on Douglas promenade after he had been on a night out.

There was a two-year-old child in the back of the car at the time.

As they drove up Summerhill Road the couple argued about Cookson-Smith’s level of intoxication and he was said to have grabbed the steering wheel causing the Vauxhall Mokka to collide with a wall at Coutts House.

The damage to the wall was said cost 1,500 to repair.

When police asked the couple what had happened Cookson-Smith’s partner said to him: ’Do you want to tell them what happened?’

He replied: ’I don’t know.’

That prompted his partner to say: ’I’m not covering for you. You could have killed us all.’

Cookson-Smith was said to be slurring his words and unsteady on his feet, and he failed a breathalyser test with a reading of 84. The legal limit is 35.

When interviewed at police headquarters he said he could not recall the incident and denied committing any offences.

However, he later entered a basis of plea saying he had recklessly caused the damage to the wall in a misguided attempt to steer the car on track during an argument.

Defence advocate Paul Rodgers said: ’Mr Cookson-Smith hasn’t been able to attend as he is in the Merchant Navy overseas.

’He has made a very significant effort today and wants matters resolved.

’He believed he was attempting to steer the vehicle on track.

’He has been carrying out important work during the pandemic, living away from his family.’

Magistrates’ chair Lisa Horton told Cookson-Smith while passing sentence: ’You could have been looking at a much more serious charge here considering you had your young son and partner in the car.’

He was also ordered to pay £300 in costs which he will pay along with the fine at a rate of £100 per week.