A drink-driver who was twice the legal limit has been fined £800 and banned from driving for two years.

Colin Andrew Bird, of Hillberry Lakes, Douglas, pleaded guilty to the charge and was also ordered to retake his test at the end of the ban.

The 49-year-old builder was also fined £100 after admitting having an expired vehicle licence.

Prosecuting advocate Roger Kane told the court how police saw Bird driving a Mercedes Vito van on May 16 at 1.54am on Glencrutchery Road in Douglas.

The vehicle was swerving and described by police as travelling at an unusually slow speed.

They turned on their lights and siren and Bird’s van was said to have mounted the pavement heavily as he pulled over.

He had a passenger in the car and failed a roadside breathalyser test, was arrested and taken to police headquarters.

Once there, he blew a reading of 70. The legal limit is 35.

Checks also found that his tax had expired in June 2020.

The court heard that Bird had a similar conviction in 2004.

Defence advocate Stephen Wood handed in letters of reference for his client and said: ’This was a very regrettable decision. Mr Bird is not making any excuses but his explanation is that the lock had gone on the door of his van and he has expensive equipment in the van.

’He made the disastrous decision to drive it home where it’d be safe.

’He’s going to find life difficult without his builder’s van.

’It was slow driving as opposed to anything reckless.

’But Mr Bird is not interested in making excuses. He is here to take his medicine.’

High Bailiff Jayne Hughes told Bird: ’You were twice the limit, it was a very foolish decision to make.

’The fact you had a passenger is an aggravating feature. You were putting yourself, her and other road users at risk.

The High Bailiff also ordered Bird to pay £125 prosecution costs and he will pay all amounts at a rate of £50 per month.