Woof justice for puppy crash van driver

A Ramsey man who crashed his van after getting distracted by a puppy has been fined.

27-year-old Jake Stephen Ford, of Lezayre Road, lost control of his vehicle on Bircham Avenue on June 29th. 

He rolled over a stop sign and collided with another motorist at around 3pm - blaming the young Labrador for jumping up at him whilst he was driving. 

At Douglas Courthouse yesterday Ford admitted driving without due care and attention. 

Ford's advocate told the court the crash was caused by a "momentary distraction" explaining how he'd been asked to look after the dog at short notice. 

Fining Ford £400, and endorsing his licence with eight points, Deputy High Bailiff Jayne Hughes told him: "Clearly the puppy shouldn't have been loose and running around the van." 

In court Ford also pleaded guilty to two offences of failing to display R-plates on April 21st and 28th - the court heard police had spotted him on two occasions without them. 

He was fined £250, and £100 in prosecution costs, and must keep his R-plates on for a further six months.