A drink-driver has been fined £900 and banned from driving for two years.

Paul Samuel Freeland, of Castle Drive, Douglas, admitted the offence and was also ordered to retake his test at the end of the ban.

Prosecuting advocate Roger Kane told the court that an off-duty police officer saw Freeland driving a Nissan Note at Castle Drive on July 19 at 7pm.

He witnessed Freeland reversing the vehicle to park then ’staggering’ as he got out.

Police officers arrived and the 37-year-old was said to be smelling of alcohol.

After being taken to police headquarters Freeland failed a breathalyser test with a reading of 63. The legal limit is 35.

The court heard that he had no previous convictions.

Defence advocate David Reynolds asked for credit to be given for his client’s guilty plea and said that Freeland was working with mental health services.

’Mr Freeland has lost his good character and now he is going to lose his licence,’ said the advocate.

’He tells me he had four cans of lager and decided to go to his local shop for food and more alcohol. He says he felt fit to drive and has gone for a two-minute drive.

’He had difficulty parking on the promenade and tapped a vehicle.

’He told the officer he had had something to drink but he felt fit to drive.

’He will more than likely lose his employment and is going to be in difficulty paying his rent.’

Freeland was also ordered to pay £125 prosecution costs which he will pay, along with the fine at a rate of £50 per month.