A TT visitor who mistakenly believed the TT course had re-opened has been fined £250 after crossing the road at Crosby.

Ricardo Etxebarria Aldasoro, whose address was given as Douglas campsite, appeared before magistrates on Thursday with the assistance of a Spanish translator.

The 48-year-old admitted going on to the main Douglas to Peel road in Crosby, at the junction with Ballavitchell Road on Wednesday last week (June 5). He said language problems had led him to believe the roads had reopened.

Prosecutor Richard Butters said Aldasoro was detained by marshals at 3.30pm until police arrived.

Mr Butters said Aldasoro told police it had been a misunderstanding as he thought the roads were open.

He told officers that although he had come to the TT last year he had watched the races from a different location and had not experienced the course opening car.

Aldasoro said he thought the roads had opened as people had started returning to their vehicles.

Mr Butters said the prosecution were content for him to be sentenced on the basis that it was a genuine mistake.

Advocate Winston Taylor said: ’It was a sincere mistake. There is a difference in interpretation of "the roads are about to open" and "the roads are open".

’He attends other motorsports events in Spain and other countries where spectators are allowed to cross when the race is finished.’