Grand Prix spectator fined for trespassing on course

Steven Frost has been fined £650 and ordered to pay £125 in costs

A Manx Grand Prix spectator who walked on to the course while it was closed has been fined £650.

Steven Frost, who travelled to the island from Derbyshire, walked onto the A3 between the Ballacraine Crossroads and Ballaspur during Monday morning's racing.

Douglas Courthouse heard all the bikes had passed through from a 10:00 BST qualifying lap and the race scheduled for 11:15 when witnesses saw the 67-year-old walk across the road before returning to near where he entered.

Marshals detained Frost and, when interviewed by police, he said he had not realised the road in question was part of the course, despite visiting the island for the races over the past 20 years.

The court heard the 67-year-old entered the road near Ballaspur

His defence advocate argued it was an "honest mistake" and he had been looking to see if there were any signs.

He pleaded guilty to the offence of entering a closed road under the Road Races Act 2016.

Deputy high bailiff Rachael Braidwood said it seemed "surprising" that someone who had visited the island for so long did not know the course.

There were also clear barriers at Ballacraine and the fact racing had just taken place was an aggravating feature, she said.

As well as the fine, Frost was ordered to pay an additional £125 in court costs.

Ms Braidwood said he had "put other people at risk" but she was prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt as there was no racing at the time and he was apologetic.