Man pleaded guilty to dangerous driving charge

R-plate driver drove on wrong side of Mountain Road

A court's heard how a motorist thought he was going to die when an R-plate driver came straight at him on the wrong side of the Mountain Road.

20-year-old Paul Thomas O'Driscoll of Lower Dukes Road in Douglas appeared before magistrates at Douglas Courthouse.

He pleaded guilty to one charge of dangerous driving on the busy route on 21 May.

Prosecution advocate Barry Swain told the court a number of people reported his driving to police after he forced his way back into a line of traffic following three overtaking manoeuvres.

Mr Swain said O'Driscoll had passed his test on 13 March and on 21 May was driving with R-plates when he overtook other cars at more than 50mph, cutting back into traffic heading for Ramsey.

On his third overtake, visibility was poor and he was suddenly confronted by an oncoming car, terrifying its driver.

Magistrates bailed O'Driscoll to appear again on 12 September after reports are prepared before he’s sentenced.

They warned him not to drive in what they described as a “ridiculous” manner and to stay within the 50 limit as he awaits his next court appearance.