A man who drove four times while under the influence of prescription drugs has been jailed for 18 weeks and banned from driving for six years.

Samuel Joshua Lewin admitted all four offences as well as having a vehicle in a dangerous condition.

Deputy High Bailiff James Brooks also ordered him to retake his test at the end of the ban.

Prosecuting advocate Rebecca Cubbon told the court how Lewin was first arrested on February 3.

The 28-year-old, who lives at Stanley Mount East in Ramsey, was at Tesco with his girlfriend and was said to be staggering in the shop.

Lewin told her he had taken pregabalin.

As they left the store the woman tried to persuade him to get a taxi but he insisted on driving.

He was later stopped by police at the Liverpool Arms and taken to accident and emergency as he was said to be nearly falling asleep.

A blood test showed the presence of pregabalin and temazepam.

When interviewed by police he said that he suffered from mental health issues but had been unable to access help during the Covid restrictions.

The following day police were called to Ballure Road in Ramsey after a witness reported Lewin’s driving.

He was spoken to by police and said to be slurring his words.

A witness said that they saw Lewin’s car nearly hit a wall.

The car was in poor condition and was subsequently seized by police.

A blood test this time showed the presence of 10 different prescription drugs in Lewin’s system.

On April 30, Lewin was again reported by a witness who was concerned about his driving at Johnny Watterson’s Lane.

They said Lewin, who was now driving his grandmother’s car, had been veering into the opposite carriageway causing oncoming vehicles to take evasive action.

The witness said that one vehicle was forced onto grass by Lewin’s driving.

A blood test this time showed the presence of diazepam, temazepam, methadone, and oxazepam.

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Despite this third arrest, Lewin was out driving again the following day and again reported by a member of the public.

A witness this time said that Lewin’s car was swerving in the road at Greeba Castle and veering towards other vehicles.

Police stopped him at Sulby Glen and Lewin told police he was tired after being arrested the previous day.

A blood test this time showed the presence of methadone and benzodiazepine.

Lewin initially pleaded not guilty to the offence from February 4 but then changed his plea to guilty on the day of the trial.

Defence advocate James Peterson said: ’Mr Lewin is still a young man and not heavily convicted.

’The most important issue is that he has some significant mental health issues and is taking a significant amount of medication.

’The driving was due to his medication. There were no illegal drugs. He was taking prescription medication, but he accepts taking more than he should have done.

’The medications don’t expressly state not to drive but he realises he shouldn’t have done.’

Mr Peterson went on to say that his client had been going through a difficult period, as stated in a probation report, which he did not wish to go into in open court.

’He is getting help and is working with the Drug and Alcohol Team,’ said the advocate.

Mr Peterson asked for the sentence to be suspended saying that custody would undermine his progress and that he looked after his grandmother on a daily basis.

Deputy High Bailiff Mr Brooks told Lewin: ’On two occasions you were arrested and dealt with, yet within hours you were driving again.

’It is clear you do have mental health issues, you are not heavily convicted and they were all prescription drugs, but I can’t ignore the fact that nothing seems to stop you driving.

’But I have to balance this against the fact that the public need protection from your driving.

’After the first occasion you lost your own vehicle and began driving your grandmothers.’