Fines for tourists after entering closed roads twice

Pair entered the course at Ballacraine Crossroads whilst racing was underway

Two tourists from London who entered closed roads twice during the Manx Grand Prix have been fined £1,400 each.

Russel Gray, 68, and Yeesaan Chin, 66, appeared at Douglas Courthouse today (27 August) where they pleaded guilty to contravening road closure rules.

The pair entered the course at Ballacraine Crossroads at 6.10pm yesterday (26 August) whilst racing was underway.

The court heard that the couple were visiting the Island on their boat, which was moored in Peel Marina, and they had walked to St John's to watch the races for the first time.

A sector marshal described the closure as being clearly marked, with signage and yellow railings which you would have to 'move out of the way' to access the road.

He spotted Gray and Chin walking towards him and away from Tynwald Hill.

They were guided off the road and directed to the rear of a private residence where others were watching the racing.

Later, when racing had finished but roads were still closed, the couple were again seen entering the restricted area.

The sector marshal said he saw another marshal try to send them back, but they ignored them and continued to walk along the side of the road, back towards Tynwald Hill.

Gray was said to have told the marshal: "I know I can do this."

Police were called and the pair were arrested at 7.07pm.

In interview Chin said she knew roads were closed, and admitted they were told they were committing an offence, but said she 'thought it was safe enough'.

The advocate representing the pair told the court they entered the closure through a gap in the fencing but 'weren't actually walking on the course itself' and were trying 'to leave the way they came'.

He said 'they wrongly assumed that they could' enter the road as they saw a rider, who'd retired, walking along with marshals in the area.

Fining them, and ordering them to each pay £125 in prosecution costs, Deputy High Bailiff Rachael Braidwood acknowledged they didn't enter onto the actual course rather 'the approach to the course'.

But she reiterated that road closures for TT and MGP are strictly enforced for a reason.

She said: "The roads are closed because the roads become a racetrack. [It's for] the safety of riders and spectators.

“I find it absolutely baffling, while marshals were around, that you went back out onto closed roads."