A drink-driver has been sentenced to 100 hours of community service and banned from driving for three years.

Sean Stuart John Leneghan failed a breathalyser test with a reading of 82 when he was stopped by police on December 17.

The legal limit is 35.

Prosecuting advocate Chrissie Hunt told the court that police were parked in the car park at the Tynwald Hill Inn in St John’s at 10pm when they were approached by Leneghan.

The 27-year-old told them he was going to sleep in the back of his LDV Maxus van, which was parked in the car park overnight.

He said he had been drinking so he would not be driving.

Police warned him about any potential offences and then left to deal with another unrelated matter.

However, 45 minutes later as they were driving back through St John’s, they saw Leneghan pulling out of the car park onto Station Road.

He was subsequently stopped and said to be slurring his words and unsteady on his feet.

After failing the roadside breathalyser test he was taken to police headquarters where he produced the 82 reading.

The court heard that he has no previous convictions.

Defence advocate Louise Cooil said that her client was working at the amenity site but would be likely to lose his job now due to the inevitable driving ban unless a different role could be found for him.

A probation report said that Leneghan, who lives in Ballafletcher Road, Braddan, had been working with mental health services and that he intended to sell his vehicle.

The court heard that his last conviction was in 2011.

High Bailiff Jayne Hughes also ordered him to pay £125 costs, which he will pay at a rate of £10 per week.