A motorist who failed to give a breathalyser sample after reversing his van into a parked car has been banned from driving for five years.

Robert Kumor, aged 41, of Empire Terrace, Douglas, was also sentenced to 120 hours’ community service and must retake his test at the end of his ban.

He had the assistance of a Polish interpreter in Magistrates’ Court for the sentencing last week.

Prosecutor James Robinson told the court how, on April 17 last year at 2.17am police were called to Empire Terrace after a report of two men fighting.

Officers spoke to one of the men who said that Kumor, who was the other man, had reversed his Citroen Berlingo into his Mustang.

The man said of Kumor: ’He’s pissed as well.’

Kumor said of the accident: ’I did,’ then fell into officers due to his drunkenness.

He was said to be unsteady and slurring his words and as he was arrested said: ’I drink. I drive.’

Once at police headquarters, Kumor was said to have continually refused to give a specimen of breath.

He initially pleaded not guilty to the offence and a trial had been set for January 3.

But on January 25 he then changed his plea to guilty.

Defending Kumor in court advocate Rebecca Cubbon said that her client was a hard-working person who worked in a sandwich bar.

Ms Cubbon said: ’He accepts he had alcohol in the car.

’The purpose of driving was to move the car as it was on double yellow lines.

’So he did that so as not to cause any bother and avoid a ticket.

’His judgement was clouded.

’He bumped the car and a fight occurred.’

Ms Cubbon went on to say that CCTV footage showed that the fight was instigated by the other man.

Speaking of the not guilty plea and delay in coming to sentencing Ms Cubbon said: ’The procedure was explained in English but then a Polish PC discussed it with him.

’The defence needed to look into what was said, enquiries had to be made to ensure the procedure had been carried out correctly.

’We would ask that the court take into account that a trial was avoided and this wasn’t the most straightforward case due to the language barrier.’

Kumor was also ordered to attend a drink drive rehabilitation course and pay £300 prosecution costs.

Clerk to the Justices Steven Tucker also pointed out that Kumor currently had 62 outstanding fixed penalty notices which he would need to address.