A biker has been banned from driving for six months and fined £800.

Thomas Anthony Sertin, of Snaefell Road, Willaston, admitted driving while unfit after he was seen trying to start a motorbike while he was more than three times over the drink-drive limit.

The 24-year-old failed a breathalyser test with a reading of 120. The legal limit is 35.

Prosecutor Roger Kane told the court that a taxi driver reported seeing Sertin sitting on a Honda motorbike at Snaefell Road on June 17 at 4am.

He appeared unsteady and the taxi driver, who was also an off-duty special constable, reported the matter to the police.

Sertin was said to be trying to start the bike then approached the taxi driver and spoke to him.

The cabbie said that Sertin was drunk and when police arrived he was said to be slurring his words with the motorbike on the pavement.

He was arrested and when interviewed handed in a prepared statement denying any likelihood of him driving while being over the limit. He then answered ’no comment’ to all questions. Defence advocate Andrew Baker said that his client was selling the motorbike and had no previous convictions.

He said: ’Mr Sertin accepts the facts. He moved the bike which had been in storage for some time. It was a moment of madness. He wanted to hear it ticking over so he could start the sales process the next day.

’He is an avid biker and quite safety-conscious. He didn’t ride over TT, which is why this is quite out of character.’

High Bailiff Jayne Hughes told Sertin: ’120 is an extremely high reading by anybody’s standards.’

Sertin was also ordered to pay £125 prosecution costs.

He will pay the fine and costs at a rate of £200 per month.