A woman who was arrested for drink-driving twice in two months has been banned from driving for seven years and handed a suspended sentence.

Melanie Cain-Fryer, of Ballaughton Manor Hill, Douglas, was also banned from licensed premises for two years and given a Suspended Sentence Supervision Order (SSSO).

Deputy High Bailiff Jayne Hughes said while passing sentence: ’You need to be kept off the road for a considerable period of time for your own safety and everybody else’s.’

The two-year suspended sentence is a direct alternative to 24 weeks’ custody.

Cain-Fryer was also given a conditional discharge for breaching a current licensing ban and the 30-year-old must also retake her test before driving again after the seven-year ban is up.

Prosecutor James Robinson told the court how, on January 4, information was received by police that Cain-Fryer had been driving after she had been drinking. She was located and was found to smell of alcohol. She was asked if she had been driving and replied: ’Yes’.

She failed a breathalyser test and was subsequently arrested and taken to police headquarters.

Once there, a blood test was taken which produced a reading of no less than 236 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood - the legal limit is 80 micrograms.

On January 6, police were called to the Palace Hotel on Douglas Promenade to speak to Cain-Fryer in a room she was staying in.

She was already subject to a ban prohibiting her from buying alcohol but police said that she was smelling of alcohol and slurring her words.

In the room was an empty wine bottle and open bottle of cider. Asked where she had got the alcohol Cain-Fryer admitted she had bought it at the hotel bar.

On March 3, at 5.30pm, police received information that Cain-Fryer was again driving in the Douglas area and believed to be intoxicated.

She was located and spoken to by police and failed a roadside breathalyser test.

A breathalyser test at police headquarters produced a result of 72 micrograms - the legal limit is 35.

Defending Cain-Fryer in court advocate Paul Glover said: ’The probation report paints a pretty tragic picture. Information has come to light which I don’t intend to go into in public court.

’My client’s life is very much in a rut at the moment. It’s a difficult cycle to break. She does turn to alcohol. It provides a crutch for her to depend on. She hasn’t received the help and support she needs.’

Mr Glover went on to say that Cain-Fryer had no income to pay a fine.

Deputy High Bailiff Jayne Hughes was unsympathetic, saying: ’Why does anybody need help to tell them not to drive when they’re drinking?

’The car could be sold presumably. She won’t be driving it for a while.’

Cain-Fryer was also ordered to pay £300 prosecution costs.