A motorist who was over the drink-drive limit when he drove the morning after has been fined £1,000 and banned from driving for one year.

Sebastian Gosciniak, of Ballachurry Avenue, Onchan, admitted he had been drinking the night before and failed a breathalyser test at his home after a witness reported him smelling of alcohol.

The 37-year-old mobile chip shop owner had previously pleaded not guilty to the offence but on Tuesday changed his plea to guilty.

He was also ordered to pay £890 costs as the case had reached the pre-trial review stage.

Prosecuting advocate Hazel Carroon told the court that Gosciniak drove to Newby’s convenience store on Ballaquayle Road, Douglas, at about 8.30am on October 7 and bought three cans of lager.

Staff said he was smelling of alcohol and after he was seen getting into his BMW and driving away reported the matter to the police.

Gosciniak was arrested at home after failing a breathalyser test but told police he had started drinking a can of beer at home.

A doctor’s report concluded he would have been over the limit at the time of driving even taking into consideration the beer.

When interviewed by police, Gosciniak said that he had been drinking rum and lager on October 6 from 7pm to about midnight.

He said he had then got up at 8am and claimed he may have smelled of alcohol in the shop as he had not brushed his teeth.

A reading of 40 was agreed between the prosecution and defence advocates - the legal limit is 35.

Defence advocate Stephen Wood said his client had shared a bottle of rum with a friend the night before as well as drinking a number of beers.

Mr Wood said: ’Clearly Mr Gosciniak didn’t leave it long enough before he got into his vehicle.

’He had consumed three quarters of a can of beer when police arrived.’

He added: ’We would ask the court to accept this isn’t a case of him having alcohol issues.

’He was drinking in the morning simply because he was on a rare day off. It is not the sort of behaviour he would ordinarily engage in.

’Mr Gosciniak appreciates he is going to lose his licence.

’He drives a fish and chip van for a living so his employment is going to be jeopardised.’

The court heard that Gosciniak has no previous convictions.

High Bailiff Jayne Hughes also ordered him to retake his test at the end of the ban.