A man, believed to be drunk when he caused a crash on South Road was given a large fine and suspended from the Island's roads for one year.

Shane Allen Grant, 42, of Ten Pin Crescent, Warwick, was involved in an accident close to Lighthouse Hill in Southampton on June 12.

The court heard that around 1 a.m. Grant's car struck a motorcyclist on the left hand, causing her minor injuries. The motorcyclist, visiting the Island from Britain, was taken to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital for treatment and released.

Police at the scene saw that Grant was unsteady on his feet, had glazed eyes and a strong smell of intoxicants on his breath.

Grant allegedly told officers: "Yes I had a few drinks, so what?" Police then demanded samples of breath for analysis but he refused.

In Magistrates' Court yesterday Grant admitted he failed to give a sample of breath for analysis but denied being intoxicated.

Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner gave him a $1,000 fine and ten points on his licence in addition to the ban.