A driver from Ballasalla who was over the limit for cannabis has been fined £1,200 and given a two year ban.

Ryan Mark Sharvin had previously denied the offence but later changed his plea to guilty.

The 23-year-old was also ordered to pay £2,000 prosecution costs due to work done preparing for a trial, and the cost of an expert’s report from the UK laboratory that produced the drug test result.

Prosecuting advocate Barry Swain told the court that a police officer, who was on duty but driving an unmarked vehicle, was driving at Ballacraine, heading towards Douglas, on October 31, 2022, at 7.25pm.

He saw the defendant in a Honda Accord and followed him to Crosby, due to the car having light defect.

Sharvin entered the Co-op car park, where the officer spoke to him.

He was described as smelling of cannabis and having red, glazed eyes.

He initially disputed allegation but then said he had been around people who had been using the drug.

A drug wipe test proved positive for the class B drug and Sharvin, who lives at The Willows, was subsequently arrested.

A blood sample was taken and sent for analysis to Cellmark Forensic Services in the UK.

This later produced a result of six.  The legal cannabis limit for driving is two.

Mr Swain said an additional report had been requested from Cellmark after a not guilty plea, and a trial initially being set for July 2023.

He said that this had cost £1,284, in addition to £1,000 costs for prosecution work done in preparation for the trial.

Defence advocate Jim Travers handed in a letter from the defendant’s mother, which he said contained personal details regarding his client.

Mr Travers asked for some credit to be given for the eventual guilty plea and said that there had been no bad driving reported by the police.

The advocate said that Sharvin had been compliant at the roadside and at police headquarters, when asked for samples.

Deputy High Bailiff Rachael Braidwood also ordered the defendant to take an extended driving test at the end of his ban.

He will pay the fine and costs at a rate of £200 per month.