Fine for man who fell asleep at the wheel

A man from Ballabeg has been fined £500 after falling asleep at the wheel.

65-year-old James Edward Cottier, of Friary Park, appeared at Douglas Courthouse earlier this week where he admitted driving without due care and attention.

The court heard Cottier had crossed into the opposite carriageway near Bishopscourt Farm in Kirk Michael, crashing into the curb, on the afternoon of May 20th.

His wife, who was in the passenger seat, suffered a cracked sternum, cracked knuckles and broken fingers.

Cottier’s advocate said he’d been suffering from ‘exhaustion’ at the time after caring for his wife who’d suffered an injury to her ribs the week before.

She told the court he was ‘sorry for what has happened’ adding: "He is an upstanding member of the community and this has rocked him."

Magistrates ordered Cottier to pay prosecution costs of £50 - his driving licence was also endorsed with four penalty points.