A motorist who was more than twice the legal drink-drive limit when he was stopped by police been banned from driving for three years.

Keith Jonathan Byrne, of Highfield Drive, Baldrine, was also fined £1,100 after he failed a breathalyser test with a reading of 87 - the legal limit is 35.

Deputy High Bailiff Jayne Hughes told Byrne while passing sentence: ’Day after day people such as you appear before me who have everything to lose yet still choose to drive while over the prescribed limit.’

Prosecutor Hazel Carroon told the court how, on September 16 at 2am, police saw Byrne pulling out of a parking space on Loch Promenade, Douglas.

Checks revealed that his tax had expired in July so he was stopped at Millennium Court apartments.

Byrne was said to be smelling of alcohol but told police he had only drunk one bottle of Becks and that he believed it was non-alcoholic.

He failed a roadside breathalyser test and was taken to police headquarters. Once there, he failed a further test with the reading of 87 and was subsequently charged.

Defence advocate Deborah Myerscough said: ’Mr Byrne is somebody who has a good record in the past but makes a very poor choice to get in his car and drive. He has been out with colleagues and can’t understand why he didn’t just pay £20 and get a taxi.

’The consequences are going to be severe. He has been in distress over the last couple of days realising the consequences of what this is going to mean for him.’

Ms Myerscough said a decision had not yet been made by Byrne’s employer as to whether he would keep his job. The advocate said Byrne had paid a £60 fixed penalty notice in respect of the out-of- date tax.

Byrne must retake his test at the end of his ban and attend a drink-drive rehabilitation course.

Mrs Hughes said: ’You were two and a half times the limit. You clearly lied to the police officer at the scene.’