A drink-driver who was more than three times the legal limit has been banned from driving and ordered to do community service.

Jacob Leonard Martin Lane, of Empress Drive, Douglas, was so drunk another driver took his keys from him when both vehicles stopped.

The 25-year-old admitted failing a breathalyser test with a reading of 114 - the legal limit is 35.

He was banned from driving for six years by High Bailiff Jayne Hughes, who praised the bravery of the woman who taken Lane’s keys from him.

Mrs Hughes said: ’I’ve not had a case before when a driver was so concerned about the driving she has felt the need to take the keys. It potentially prevented a road traffic accident.’

We previously reported how, on November 24 at 8.25pm, police received information about a Peugeot being driven erratically between Laxey and Onchan.

A witness who was in front of the Peugeot said that it was travelling very close behind her then dropping back and veering to the other side of the road and back again.

She said that the driving was frightening her so much, that when she saw the vehicle stop she got out and took the keys from Lane, who was the driver and had also got out of his car.

Lane then made off down Church Road but was later found by police and said to be unsteady on his feet and slurring his words.

He swore at police as he was arrested and once at police headquarters failed the breathalyser test.

Defence advocate Stephen Wood: ’The background of the commission of the offence may have something to do with unresolved personal feelings.’

Mr Wood said that Lane had found out his ex-girlfriend was pregnant by her new partner.

’Friends and family have been urging him to put the past behind him,’ said the advocate.

’There is a bright future ahead of him. The reading is terrifically high.

’ He will appreciate he has come close to a custodial sentence.

’He wishes to apologise to the officer for his behaviour at the time of his arrest and the lady who took the keys.’

A probation report assessed Lane as a low risk of reoffending.

Mr Wood told the court: ’Provided he moderates his alcohol consumption you won’t be seeing him before the court in future.’

Mrs Hughes told Lane while passing sentence: ’You have no recollection of the offence. You should have been nowhere near the wheel of a car.’

Lane must do 180 hours unpaid work in the next 12 months and was also ordered to pay £125 prosecution costs.