A Peel man has been fined £1,000 and banned from the road after admitting drink-driving.

Ciaran Angus Gell, of Campion Crescent, was stopped by police on the New Castletown Road in Douglas.

Gell, who is 21, failed a blood test with a reading of 203 - the legal limit is 80.

High Bailiff Jayne Hughes banned him from driving for three years with an order to retake his test at the end of the ban and attend a drink-driving rehabilitation course.

Prosecutor Rachael Braidwood told the court that the offence took place on December 28 when police saw Gell driving a Ford Fiesta leaving the EVF garage on Peel Road.

They were concerned about his driving and stopped him on the New Castletown Road.

Breathalyser equipment was not working and when asked by police if he had been drinking, Gell said: ’Not a lot.’

At police headquarters he opted to take the blood test which gave the subsequent reading of 203.

Defence advocate Jim Travers said that Gell no longer had his driving licence because it had been stolen while he was on holiday.

’This is his first ever conviction,’ said the advocate. ’Mr Gell had been on a works night out.

’He was relying on a friend for a lift home but they left earlier in the evening.

’He recalls struggling to find a taxi so he made the now regrettable decision to go to his vehicle which was in Shaw’s Brow car park.’

Mr Travers went on to say that Gell was a keen and talented sportsman who was also involved in coaching youngsters.

Mrs Hughes also ordered Gell to pay £125 prosecution costs.