A 53-year-old drink-driver has been fined £1,350 and banned from driving for two years.

George Miroslav Novak, of Ballanard Road, Douglas, failed a breathalyser test with a reading of 63. The legal limit is 35.

Magistrates also ordered him to retake his test at the end of the ban.

Prosecuting advocate Hazel Carroon told the court that police were called after Novak had visited the EVF filling station on Bray Hill on July 18 at 11.15pm.

He bought whisky and wine but staff believed that he had already been drinking.

Officers went to Novak’s home and he answered the door holding a partly drunk glass of whisky and lemonade.

After failing a breathalyser test he was arrested and taken to police headquarters.

Once there he failed a further test with a reading of 69.

When interviewed the following day Novak claimed he had drunk half a bottle of wine before driving, between 7pm and 11pm, then had two mouthfuls of whisky and lemonade after arriving home.

An expert report concluded that Novak’s account of his drinking was inconsistent with the breathalyser result produced and said that, even after taking into account the two mouthfuls, the reading would have been 63.

The court heard that he has no previous convictions.

Defence advocate Peter Russell said that the prosecution facts were accepted and that Novak was ’embarrassed’ and ’remorseful’.

’As is often the case, Mr Novak said he felt he was able to drive, and clearly that shows the effect alcohol has on people’s judgement,’ said the advocate.

’He drove a short distance from to the shop from his home, then spent a night in the cells which was very humiliating and quite an experience for him. It certainly gave him a period of time in which to reflect upon his actions.’

Mr Russell went on to ask the court to take into account Novak’s guilty plea, the relatively short distance driven, and that there had been no allegation of poor driving.

Magistrates chair David Craine told Novak: ’This was clearly a lapse of judgement brought on by alcohol.’

Novak was also ordered to pay £125 prosecution costs.

He was given 28 days to pay the fine and costs.