A pensioner who went out in his car despite having Covid-19 has been fined £150.

Stewart Michael Green pleaded guilty to failing to comply with coronavirus restrictions and was also ordered to pay £50 prosecution costs.

Prosecuting advocate Barry Swain told the court how 73-year-old Green was told to isolate for 14 days on November 20 last year after being diagnosed with Covid-19 after a swab test.

However, on November 26 police were informed that he had breached the rules by leaving the house in his car.

After being spoken to by police and the 111 team it was agreed that he would just be monitored after being warned.

However, police then received a second report of Green leaving his house in his car and then returning with a carrier bag.

Green, of Ashley Park, Onchan, was invited to a voluntary interview in December but said that he felt too unwell to attend so this was postponed until the New Year.

The interview was then delayed again due to lockdown but when Green was eventually spoken to he said: ’Not guilty cos of mitigating circumstances.’

Green told police he had been asked to drive twice. He said on the first occasion he had gone to pick up his wife at the hospital as she had also been suffering from Covid-19.

He said that he had not really taken in the isolation rules due to feeling ill and thought that if he was in the car alone it would be OK.

The pensioner said that on the second occasion he had driven he had gone to Laxey to ’give the car a run’, but had not got out of the vehicle.

He said that the carrier bag had contained some items which had been in the car.

Defence advocate Paul Glover said that his client had been in Northampton in November due to a bereavement.

Green said that he and his wife both showed symptoms of Covid-19 and that it had ’absolutely knocked them for six’, with her being hospitalised.

He said he was then at home alone during a difficult time and had gone to collect his wife after being told no transport could be arranged and she could not use public transport due to having Covid.

Mr Glover said: ’There is no evidence he has been to any shops. He made full admissions to police and entered a guilty plea. There have been no offences since 1986. He has been an outstanding member of society.

’There is no suggestion of social interaction. It was two solo car journeys.’

The advocate went on to ask the court to take into account the amount of time since the offence and the fact that borders were opening now.

Magistrates chair David Craine said: ’We agree that this is at the lower end of this type of offence. It is nonetheless dangerous. You had Covid and you went out. Luckily you stayed in the car.’

Green will pay the fine and costs at a rate of £30 per month.