A Douglas teenager has been fined £150 for driving without a vehicle licence.

Jake Thomas Gerard Lindon, of Old Castletown Road, was also previously charged with driving while unfit but that charge was withdrawn.

The 17-year-old was found to be in excess of the UK drug-driving limit for cannabis but the court heard that, as there was no legal limit in the Isle of Man, that charge was not being pursued.

Prosecutor Rachael Braidwood told the court how Lindon was spoken to by police after he was stopped in a Ford Fiesta at 3.25am on December 26 at Kewaigue Hill.

He was said to have bloodshot eyes and appeared pale and clammy.

positive

A blood test produced the positive cannabis result.

Lindon only held a provisional licence despite the fact he was alone in the car.

When interviewed he handed in a prepared statement saying that he was not under the influence of any substance.

Defence advocate Darren Taubitz said: ’Mr Lindon was at home with friends.

’The car was bought for him but registered to his grandfather.

lift

’At the end of the night one of his friends continually asked for a lift home.

’He appears to have given in to peer pressure.

’It was a short distance driven to Farmhill.’

Mr Taubitz went on to say that his client had been having weekly driving lessons and had driven supervised almost daily.

’As soon as the offence occurred his grandparents have taken the vehicle off him,’ said the advocate.

’I don’t think they could have done more to make sure that he has learned his lesson.’

High Bailiff Jayne Hughes also endorsed Lindon’s licence with two penalty points.