A 24-year-old drink-driver who reversed into a police van has been fined £2,000 and banned from driving for three years.

Matthew Thomas Collister, of Tynwald Grove, Castletown, failed a breathalyser test with a reading of 93. The legal limit is 35.

Magistrates also ordered him to pay £165 in compensation for damage to the police vehicle.

Prosecuting advocate James Robinson told the court that Collister was driving a Nissan Qashqai on January 6 on Heather Crescent in Douglas at 2.35am.

He was seen by an ambulance crew who described his driving as erratic and reported him to police.

Police found Collister driving along Alder Road with the ambulance behind him.

The ambulance overtook Collister with police now behind him.

The ambulance then stopped but Collister then started to reverse hitting the police van behind him.

When spoken to by police he was said to be unsteady on his feet, smelling of alcohol, and having glazed eyes.

Collister was unable to provide a breath sample at the scene but provided one at police headquarters which produced the reading of 93.

A probation report said that Collister had been driving since he was 16 and was employed as an administration assistant, as well as having a second part-time job.

Collister told probation he had been to see his sister on the night in question and had intended to stay overnight.

He said he had drunk four or five gin and tonics and then went to sleep on the sofa.

Collister then said he had woken up and felt uncomfortable so had made the foolish decision to drive home.

He claimed that the ambulance had veered in front of him but admitted he had not used his mirrors when reversing.

The court heard he has no previous convictions.

Defence advocate Matthew Wilshaw handed in a letter of reference from Collister’s employer.

Mr Wilshaw said that police had stated in their report that Collister had not refused to provide a breath sample at the scene but had just been incapable of it.

’He intended on staying at his sister’s,’ said the advocate.

’It wasn’t pre-meditated. The ambulance pulled in front of him so it’s not surprising his focus was on the ambulance.

’He put the vehicle in reverse to manoeuvre around the ambulance but hadn’t checked his mirrors. He was not trying to escape.’

Mr Wilshaw went on to say that Collister had not driven since the incident.

Magistrates also ordered him to pay £125 prosecution costs, retake his test at the end of ban, and complete a drink-driving rehabilitation course.

He will pay the fine, costs, and compensation at a rate of £225 per month.