A 72-year-old New Year’s Eve drink-driver has been fined £1,000 and banned from driving for three years.

Paul William Robinson, of Stanley Terrace, Douglas, failed a breathalyser test with a reading of 79. The legal limit is 35.

Magistrates also ordered him to retake his test at the end of the ban and attend a drink-driving rehabilitation course.

Prosecuting advocate James Robinson told the court how an off-duty police officer saw Robinson driving a Ford Escort while he was on his way from Ronaldsway to Douglas at 4.30pm on December 31.

Robinson’s driving was described as erratic with him swerving in the road and almost colliding with an oncoming vehicle.

The off-duty cop called the police control room and Robinson was spoken to after he arrived home at Stanley Terrace and parked.

When asked if he had been drinking he replied: ’I’ve had one pint.’.

But police described him as being untsteady on his feet, smelling of alcohol and slurring his words.

He failed the roadside breathalyser test with a reading of 95 and was subsequently arrested and taken to police headquarters where a further test produced the 79 reading.

The court heard that he has no previous convictions.

Defence advocate Paul Glover asked the court to take into account his client’s immediate guilty plea, his lack of previous convictions, and his age.

’He fully co-operated with police throughout the procedure,’ said that advocate.

’At 72 this is his first brush with the law. He has been driving since 1965 with no incidents and is incredibly sorry.’

After being sentenced Robinson asked magistrates if he could have his licence taken off him permanently and said that he would not be renewing his licence anyway.

He was also ordered to pay £125 prosecution costs.