The driver of a car which ended up on its roof after hitting a parked car was disqualified from driving and over the drink-drive limit at the time.

The car, a Ford C-Max, also had two defective tyres.

As yesterday’s Manx Independent reported, there has been an alarming rise in drink-drive arrests this year.

In this case, James Brian John Arbuthnott, aged 68, of Willaston Crescent, Douglas, was helped out of a car window by a member of the public.

He admitted charges of drink-driving, driving while disqualified and two counts of having a defective tyre.

He will be sentenced on January 29 after a probation report has been completed.

Prosecutor Roger Kane told the court how, on Sunday (December 16) at 7.30pm, police were called to Malvern Road, Douglas, where Arbuthnott had crashed his Ford C-Max.

He was driving from Stoney Road when his car collided with a stationary vehicle.

Arbuthnott was in the back of an ambulance when police arrived and he was said to be smelling of alcohol suffering from a cut hand.

He failed a roadside breathalyser test and was taken to police headquarters.

Once there, he failed a breath test with a reading of 51 - the legal limit is 35. A witness said they had heard a loud bang outside their house and saw the car on its roof.

A member of the public helped Arbuthnott out of the car through a window.

The witness said that Arbuthnott said something that sounded like: ’I’ve had a few drinks.’

The court heard he only currently holds a UK licence despite being a resident on the island for some time.

disqualified

Arbuthnott was disqualified from driving in 2006 for five years with an order to retake his test, which he had not done.

It was said that it was unclear how he had obtained a UK licence.

When interviewed Arbuthnott said he had been to the Rosemount pub for a karaoke event at 2.30pm. He said he had consumed two vodka and tonics then went to the chippy, got in the car and set off to drive home.

He estimated that he was only two or three out of 10 on the scale of how drunk he was, saying that he felt sober.

Two of the tyres on his car were found to be defective.

Arbuthnott said he had tried to swap his UK licence for a Manx one but was told he could only do it online.

He said that he didn’t have a computer so he did not bother.

Defence advocate Jane Gray asked for the probation report before sentencing.

Deputy High Bailiff Jayne Hughes ordered that the report should consider all options, including custody.

Bail was granted in the sum of £500 with Arbuthnott given permission to leave the island over Christmas to visit family in Scotland.