A Guernsey man who admitted driving a forklift while drunk and possessing cannabis has been banned from driving for two years.

The Guernsey Press reported Craig Domaille, 21, was drunk when he found a forklift left with the engine running near North Beach at 1.15am on Christmas Day, last year.

The Magistrate Court heard Domaille got into the forklift and "accidentally" knocked the controls, thus moving the forklift.

He finally stopped it outside St George's Hall.

Domaille admitted in court to drink-driving, driving without insurance or a licence, and possessing cannabis. He was fined GBP950 (US1789) and banned from driving for two years.

Assistant magistrate Cherry McMillen said the danger of someone driving a vehicle for which he/she was not qualified, with no insurance and in a drunken state, gave her cause for concern.

"This is the most serious offence you have committed," she said. "At your age, drunken, loutish pranks are not acceptable."

Guernsey is the second largest of the Channel Islands, northwest of France. With a population of 65,000 and about the size of Washington, DC, USA, it is self-governing but comes under the umbrella of the UK.