A motorist who crashed his six and a half ton vehicle into the back of a car at traffic lights has been fined.

Kevin Lee Jones, of Silverburn Drive, Ballasalla, admitted careless driving as well as a licence offence as he was not licensed to drive the Renault Cherry Picker.

Magistrates also endorsed Jones’ licence with six penalty points.

Prosecutor Rachael Braidwood told the court that the accident occurred at the junction of Groves Road and the New Castletown Road on June 21.

The driver of a Citroen Saxo stopped at the lights and said he was hit from behind by Jones’ Cherry Picker.

It was later found that he was not permitted to drive that class of vehicle under his licence.

When interviewed he told police he had recently purchased the Cherry Picker and had been told by its former owner that he would be eligible to drive it.

Misapprehension

Defence advocate Ian Kermode said: ’There are somewhat unfortunate circumstances in relation to this matter in that Mr Jones purchased the vehicle around January/February time.

’It was a six and a half ton Cherry Picker vehicle for use with his business.

’When purchased he was told he could use it on an ordinary licence and that was the misapprehension that he was labouring under.

’His account is that the Saxo appeared to speed up as if it was going through the lights then stopped.’

Mr Kermode said that Jones, aged 40, had since taken lessons to drive the class of vehicle and was now applying for his test.

Magistrates fined Jones £400 for careless driving and £120 for the licence offence. He must also pay £50 prosecution costs.

He will pay at a rate of £50 per month.