A drink-driver has been banned for two and a half years and fined £1,100.

Matthew Ian Gaynor, of Rosehill Mews, admitted the offence and must also retake his test at the end of his ban.

Prosecutor James Robinson told the court that 35-year-old Gaynor was stopped by police on Peel Road on June 22 at 12.32am.

He was said to be slurring his words and smelling of alcohol and failed a roadside breathalyser test.

At police headquarters a further test produced a reading of 75. The legal limit is 35.

The court heard that Gaynor had a previous conviction in February 2018 for being in charge of a vehicle while unfit.

Defence advocate Kate Alexander said that the facts were accepted and asked for credit to be given for her client’s guilty plea and co-operation with police.

The advocate said that Gaynor had been struggling after the breakdown of a relationship and had been diagnosed with anxiety and depression.

’He drives for a living,’ said Ms Alexander, ’so the inevitable disqualification is going to hit him hard. His employer has indicated they are going to put him in an alternative role but that is going to come with a pay cut.’

High Bailiff Jayne Hughes told Gaynor: ’This was a high reading, two times the drink-drive limit. Given your conviction from last year you should have been far more careful.’

Gaynor was also ordered to pay £125 prosecution costs.

He will pay the fine and costs at a rate of £100 per month.