An already-disqualified driver has been handed a suspended sentence for dangerous driving.

Richard William Miller had no licence at the time of the offence, having failed to retake his test at the end of a ban.

In court he pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, and having no insurance.

Deputy High Bailiff James Brooks sentenced the 45-year-old to 26 weeks’ custody, suspended for two years, and also made him the subject of a two-year suspended sentence supervision order.

He was also given a new two-year ban from driving and still must retake his test at the end of that disqualification.

The Deputy High Bailiff told Miller: ‘You have an awful record of driving offences to be frank.’

Prosecuting advocate Hazel Carroon told the court that a member of the public called police on August 3 last year and reported that there had nearly been a head-on collision at Hillberry on the Mountain Road.

Police also received a second 999 call regarding the same incident.

The witnesses said that Miller had performed a dangerous overtake manoeuvre, while driving a Mini, which had nearly caused the collision.

He was stopped by police at Bowring Road in Ramsey, who established that he had not retaken his test after a ban and was therefore still banned from driving and had no insurance.

During a police interview Miller admitted the overtake but denied that it had been dangerous.

His advocate Ian Kermode handed in a basis of plea for his client, in which Miller said he had been driving at 40mph until leaving the derestricted zone.

He said he had then begun to overtake as there were no oncoming vehicles, but as he did, another vehicle came around Brandish Corner.

He said he then had to make a split second decision and had decided to complete the manoeuvre, but accepted it was an error of judgement, saying he had misjudged the speed of the other vehicles.

Ms Carroon submitted a deprivation order to confiscate the vehicle, which was said to have a value of £1,725.

Mr Kermode asked the court to follow the recommendation of a probation report for a suspended sentence supervision order which would allow probation to work with Miller.

‘We would submit that this is a defendant who is ripe for rehabilitation and support,’ said the advocate.

‘He has asked me to apologise to all concerned. The road was clear and he made a split second decision to commence with the overtake.’

Mr Kermode said that Miller, who lives at Alder Road, Pulrose, had bought the Mini only a few weeks before the incident.

Deputy High Bailiff Mr Brooks agreed to the order confiscating the vehicle, saying that he had taken into account Miller’s ‘awful record’ and the fact that he chose to buy the car knowing he was banned from driving.