A man who crashed his car into an off-duty police officer’s vehicle has been fined £350 for careless driving.

Ian Wilsdon did not attend court but sent a postal admission to the offence and also had his licence endorsed with four penalty points.

Prosecuting advocate Barry Swain told the court that Wilsdon was driving a Peugeot Partner on November 27 on the Peel coast road heading towards the Devil’s Elbow.

The 54-year-old failed to recognise that a vehicle ahead of him was stationary and had to slam on the brakes, which then caused him to skid and cross into the path of an oncoming Ford Transit being driven by the off-duty police officer.

Both vehicles sustained significant damage and had to be recovered from the scene.

Wilsdon, who lives at Cannan Avenue in Kirk Michael, admitted the accident was his fault.

Magistrates also ordered him to pay £50 prosecution costs and gave him one month to pay.