Driving ban for man who crashed and fled the scene

45-year-old told police he knew he'd fail a roadside breath test

A Douglas man has been banned from the road for six months after crashing his car whilst drunk and leaving the scene.

Christopher Reilly, of Cronk Y Berry Avenue, drove the wrong way down a one-way street after consuming seven pints of beer.

The 45-year-old pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention, and failing to stop after a road traffic accident, during an appearance at Douglas Courthouse.

Police were called on 21 June after Reilly’s BMW was seen hitting another car and a motorbike on Barrule Road at around 11.30pm; he caused significant damage to all three vehicles.

The following day Reilly went to Police Headquarters to hand himself in telling officers he didn’t stop at the time because he knew he’d have failed a roadside breath test.

During sentencing his advocate told the court it was a ‘gross error of judgement’ adding it was ‘entirely out of character’ for his client.

Fining Reilly £1600, and ordering him to pay £50 in prosecution costs, Deputy High Bailiff Rachael Braidwood told him: “The circumstances are serious.

“You knew that if you were stopped you would be over the limit.”