A lawyer described his client’s decision to drive as idiotic when he defended him in court.

Nathan Owen Briggs admitted driving while disqualified, having no insurance, and having no vehicle licence when he appeared before magistrates.

He was fined £810 and banned from driving for eight months for three motoring offences.

Prosecuting advocate Rebecca Cubbon told the court that the 20-year-old was banned from driving in May 2019 for six months, with an order to retake his test at the end of ban, which he had not done.

On July 27, at 4.55pm, police were performing vehicle checks at Glencrutchery Road in Douglas when they spoke to Briggs who was driving an Audi A3.

Briggs, who lives in Castlemona Avenue, Douglas, was on his own and admitted he held only a provisional licence and was displaying no ’L’ plates. He was still disqualified because he had not retaken his test.

Defence advocate Ian Kermode handed a three-page letter from his client to the court, as well as letters from his employer and mother.

The court heard Briggs was subject to a probation order imposed in June which replaced a previously revoked community service order.

Mr Kermode said: ’Mr Briggs bought the vehicle in the UK and had it shipped over in April. It was stored on private land but on July 27 he decided, idiotically, to move it to a garage to have repair work carried out.

’His ban ended in November. He obtained a provisional licence and has taken five driving lessons. He didn’t drive during the currency of the ban but he accepts he should have had a supervising driver and "L" plates.

’Regarding the insurance, he knew he wasn’t driving in accordance with a licence so he wouldn’t be insured. The vehicle had a UK tax disc and he accepts he should have applied for a Manx one.’

Mr Kermode went on to say that Briggs had ’settled down’ over the last few months and got a job at a seafood factory in Peel.

Magistrates fined Briggs £400 for driving while disqualified, £250 for having no insurance, and £160 for having no vehicle licence.

He was also ordered to pay £50 costs and will pay all amounts at a rate of £100 per month.

He must still retake his test before driving again.

He was fined £810 and banned from driving for eight months for three motoring offences.