Teenage motorist fined after police spot him overtaking

19-year-old Thomas Atherton was being watched by an off-duty police officer when he carried out the manoeuvres on the morning of May 7th. 

 

At one point he was seen crossing the solid white line after pulling out to overtake three cars at once - when stopped a short time later he told police he believed he was travelling at around 60-65mph. 

 

At Douglas Courthouse earlier this week the Ramsey man pleaded guilty to a charge of driving without due care and attention - a previous charge of dangerous driving was withdrawn. 

 

His advocate told the court Atherton had passed his test in February and he'd made the decision to "put his foot down" to make up time, saying it was "decision making that went seriously wrong". 

 

Sentencing him Deputy High Bailiff Jayne Hughes fined him £350 and ordered him to pay £50 in prosecution costs - she also endorsed his license with four penalty points. 

 

Warning him to drive carefully over the next two years she extended his R-plates for an extra six months telling him "you're not as good a driver as you think you are".