A 51-year-old motorist whose car tax was four years out of date has been fined £900.

David Curtis admitted having no vehicle licence as well as having no insurance.

Magistrates also endorsed his licence with six penalty points.

Prosecuting advocate James Robinson told the court that police stopped Curtis while he was driving a Range Rover on Royal Terrace in Douglas on September 23.

not insured

His tax had expired in September 2016 and the car was not insured.

He told police he had bought the vehicle in May this year and was using it only because his usual car had broken down.

Curtis, who lives on Queen’s Promenade, Douglas, said that he believed he was insured to drive it.

However, he later found that his policy did not cover him for the Range Rover.

The court heard that he has no previous convictions.

Defence advocate Ian Kermode handed in four letters of reference.

Mr Kermode reiterated Curtis’s statement that he had thought he was insured and had not knowingly driven without insurance.

The advocate said that Curtis had also not realised the vehicle was not taxed and that it was currently at the test centre going through the process of being registered in the island.

Magistrates fined him £600 for the insurance offence and £300 for the tax offence.

He must also pay £50 prosecution costs and was given until December 31 to pay all amounts.