A drink-driver who was stopped at night with no lights on has been fined £1,000 and banned from driving for two years.

David Ripley, of Ballafurt Close, Port Erin, failed a breathalyser test with a reading of 52. The legal limit is 35.

Prosecuting advocate Hazel Carroon told the court that police that Ripley driving an Audi A6 in Port Erin at night on November 21 with no lights on.

He was stopped at St George’s Crescent and when asked by police where he had driven from, replied ’The Falcon’ and said he had drunk a ’couple of pints’.

He was said to be smelling of alcohol and failed a subsequent breathalyser test at the roadside.

As he was arrested Ripley said: ’This is the Isle of Man. I only live up there.’

At police headquarters he failed a further breathalyser test with the reading of 52.

The court heard that he has no previous convictions.

Defence advocate Lydia Mulligan said: ’Mr Ripley has been driving for many years. He has unfortunately today lost his good character.

’He has not been before a court before and this experience has been a very difficult one. He tells me it has made him ill and ensures me he won’t be before a court again.

’The reading of 52 is, in my submission, at the lower end of the scale. He is a retired gentleman and has money from various sources he is able to utilise.

’On the day in question he had returned from the UK and hadn’t had chance to have anything to eat. He did have two pints in the Falcon and didn’t think that would be enough to put him over the limit.’

Magistrates ordered Ripley to retake his test at the end of his ban and pay £125 prosecution costs. He was given seven days to pay the fine and costs.