An apprentice mechanic from Ramsey who dozed off at the wheel of his car and crashed has been fined £1,000 for careless driving.

Steven Lee Thomas Oakes also had his licence endorsed with nine penalty points and was ordered to pay £50 prosecution costs.

Prosecuting advocate Roger Kane told the court that Oakes was driving his grey Audi from Kirk Michael towards Ramsey on October 15 at 5.30pm.

As he approached Ballaugh his car careered across the carriageway and ended up with its front end wedged in a hedge.

He called the police and when they arrived told them that he had felt tired, but had not stopped and must have dozed off at the wheel.

Defence advocate Peter Taylor said: ‘Just prior to the incident Mr Oakes had taken up a new job as an apprentice mechanic. The first two weeks he was trying to impress his boss, getting in early and attending college.

‘He said he felt tired so he turned the music up and opened a window. He was almost at his mum’s house but he lost concentration and his inattention caused the accident.

‘The police would not have known but he called them and acted very appropriately. He has taken his responsibilities very seriously.’

Mr Taylor asked the court not to ban Oakes as he needed his licence for his job.

Deputy High Bailiff James Brooks told Oakes: ‘What you did was extraordinarily foolish on perhaps not the busiest of roads, but where traffic travels fast. It is extremely fortunate there wasn’t anybody coming the other way.’

Mr Brooks went on to say that it was only because of Oakes’ actions after the accident that he had been persuaded not to ban him.

The 25-year-old, who lives at Carlton Grove, will pay the fine and costs at £300 per month.