Motorist with no address narrowly avoids prison after driving offences

20-year-old ordered to serve 70 days due to being unable to pay fine immediately 

A Manx motorist who was caught driving without a licence, tax and insurance has narrowly avoided being sent to prison.

Jack Mallaby, of no fixed address, admitted the offences – and driving without due care and attention – during an appearance at Douglas Courthouse on Thursday (7 September).

The 20-year-old was stopped by police on Battery Pier in Douglas, just before 1am on 14 August, after they’d followed his Mercedes which was travelling at ‘excessive speed’.  

Mallaby was found hiding in the rear of another vehicle – checks showed he had an expired provisional licence and the tax had run out in June.

He told officers he’d only bought the vehicle recently and hadn’t had time to change the ownership.

Mallaby, who has no previous convictions and who chose to represent himself in court, told Magistrates he had ‘nothing to say’ in response to the prosecution facts.

“Do you have any explanation at all Mr Mallaby?” they asked: “No,” he replied.

Fining Mallaby £1,510 – and ordering him to pay prosecution costs of £125 plus backdated tax of £39.33 – Magistrates told him he’d have to pay it immediately due to his lack of address.

When he revealed he was unable to do they ordered him to serve 70 days in default at the Isle of Man Prison leading Mallaby to ask the court: “Can someone call my mother about my dog?”

He was taken into custody to be transferred to the Isle of Man Prison but hours later the court was told the fine had been paid in full, although it wasn’t revealed by who, and he was released.

Any future licence that Mallaby holds will also be endorsed with eight penalty points.