A 26 year-old man who committed a series of motoring offences has been jailed for a total of ten months by High Bailiff Michael Moyle.

Steven James Crellin of Orry Place, Castletown admitted two charges of driving vehicles which he knew had been taken without the consent of the owners.

He drove on two occasions without insurance and twice without a driving licence, and also admitted dangerous driving and failing to stop for police.

The offences were all committed between December 12 and 14 and involved two different cars.

One was taken from Castletown and driven to Douglas and the other was taken in Douglas and driven around the town.

Police, who were on the lookout for Crellin at 5.30am on December 14, saw a car being driven at high speed against a one-way system, and jump a traffic light. It was later abandoned at Eastfield and the occupants ran off.

Crellin was arrested at the Ship Inn in Castletown at 10.20pm the same day.

He was described as being very aggressive and denied any knowledge of events, claiming he had been in Castletown at the relevant time.

His advocate said the defendant did not want reports or lengthy litigation. He accepted the facts and was sorry.

Mr Moyle said the most serious offence was the dangerous driving for which he imposed a six month sentence, with four months to run consecutively for taking the vehicles without the owners' consent.

Crellin was also banned from driving for four years.

(Image: Douglas Courthouse, where Steven James Crellin appeared).