Disqualified driver did 80mph through red light

Passengers begged Sulby man to slow down

A Sulby man’s been remanded in custody after a court heard he ignored police as he jumped a red light at more than 80mph.

Twenty-two-year-old Thomas Daniel Richards of Ballabrooie appeared before magistrates at Douglas courthouse via a live video link from the Isle of Man Prison.

He admitted driving whilst disqualified and uninsured, dangerous driving, and failing to stop for police.

Prosecution advocate Roger Kane told the court Richards had been in Jaks bar in Douglas before driving his girlfriend and two other people back to Ramsey over the Mountain Road.

On the way back, the other people in the car begged him to slow down, and at one point had to grab the wheel to stop the car leaving the road – other motorists reported he’d been on the wrong side of the road.

Police waited for Richards’ Audi at Barrule Park, but he didn’t pull over and his passengers estimated the car was travelling between 80 and 100mph as it ran a red light on Parliament Square.

He continued to Jurby where he swapped vehicles but was arrested the next day.

After hearing Richards had previous convictions for disqualified driving, magistrates remanded him in custody.

He’s due to appear at a Court of General Gaol Delivery for sentencing on 30 October.