A Ramsey man has been fined £900 for drink-driving.

Sean Caveney, of Antrim Apartments, pleaded guilty to the charge and was also banned from driving for two years.

Caveney, who is 42, must also retake his test at the end of his ban and pay £125 prosecution costs.

Prosecutor Hazel Carroon told the court how on March 3 at 8.30pm Caveney was seen drinking in the Mitre Hotel in Ramsey.

Later that evening police received a report of Caveney driving a white van at Lezayre Road, and followed him until he parked on Mooragh Promenade.

When he was spoken to officers thought he smelled of alcohol. Caveney failed a roadside breathalyser test and was taken to police headquarters.

A further breathalyser test there produced a reading of 59 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres - the legal limit is 35.

Caveney was subsequently charged with drink-driving.

The court heard that Caveney had previous convictions, but dating back to 2007 and nothing of a similar nature.

Defending Caveney in court his advocate Paul Glover asked that his client be given credit for his early guilty plea, saying that the distance driven had only been around one mile. The advocate said: ’Mr Caveney accepts he made a very stupid mistake on the night in question.

’He is a self-employed painter and decorator who relies on driving for his work.

’Work colleagues, who don’t drive, rely on him.

’It was a relatively low reading. He has been driving for 25 years and is truly remorseful for this actions.’

Mr Glover went on to say that his client could afford to pay £20 per week towards any financial penalty but asked that any penalty be kept as low as possible, as it was not known what Caveney’s work situation would be until after the court case.

Deputy High Bailiff Jayne Hughes asked: ’Why on earth did he drive such a short distance?’

Mr Glover replied: ’It was simply a very naive, stupid mistake.’

While passing sentence Mrs Hughes added: ’It was a relatively short distance, from the Mitre to Mooragh Promenade. It begs the question when you had so much to lose in terms of your employment, why did you drive?’

’Twenty-four micrograms above the minimum is not low but it is not the highest reading.’

He must serve are 60 days in default of payment of the fine.