A motorist who was sleeping in his car has been fined £650 for being in charge of a vehicle while under the influence of cannabis.

Adam Mark McMullin also had his licence endorsed with 10 penalty points.

Prosecuting advocate Annie Bannister told the court that police spoke to the defendant while he was in a parked Volkswagen Polo, on April 27 at 10.15pm, at Axnfell plantation car park.

McMullin was the sole occupant and officers described a smell of cannabis coming from the vehicle.

The keys were out of the ignition, but on the passenger seat.

A drug wipe test proved positive for cannabis and McMullin was arrested.

At police headquarters, a blood sample was taken and sent to the UK for analysis, which later produced a result of 6.8 for cannabis, which has a legal limit of two.

When interviewed, McMullin was co-operative and gave a full account.

The 22-year-old was represented in court by duty advocate John Wright.

Mr Wright said that it was quite a strange set of circumstances, as the defendant had been living in his car for some time.

The advocate said he had parked in a quiet area and the police had spoken to him in the same location the night before his arrest, so they were aware he was there.

Mr Wright said, on the night in question, McMullin had smoked a joint to help him nod off, and as stated, the keys were on the passenger seat.

‘We would submit there was absolutely no risk of him driving,’ said the advocate.

‘I’m told he volunteered the fact he’d just smoked a joint.’

Mr Wright asked magistrates not to issue a disqualification, reiterating that there had been no intent to drive.

Magistrates also ordered prosecution costs of £125 and McMullin, of Clifton Terrace, Douglas, will pay £50 per week.