A 50-year-old man has been convicted of drink-driving after he admitted being more than four times the legal limit.

Michael Paul Groves, of Beach Road, Port St Mary, pleaded guilty to the charge and will be sentenced on May 23 after the preparation of a probation report.

The court heard that Groves was moving to Wiltshire in England and intending to leave on the day he appeared in court so he was ordered to lodge a surety of £1,000 before he was allowed to leave.

Prosecutor Michael Jelski told the court how, on February 24, Groves drove his Nissan Note from Port St Mary to his workplace in Douglas.

He was reported to police after being seen later in the day at Port St Mary Co-op, where a witness suspected him of drink-driving.

Groves told police that he drank two pints of cider at lunchtime, then two vodkas with orange in the afternoon. He said he then drove back to Port St Mary from Douglas at 4pm but stopped around 12 miles into his journey and consumed another vodka and orange.

When he arrived back in Port St Mary he had gone to the Co-op before driving a further half mile to his house.

Groves said he then had more vodka and orange after arriving home.

He was unable to provide a breath sample when he was arrested but provided one later at police headquarters.

The breathalyser test there produced a reading of 143 - the legal limit is 35.

Groves initially represented himself but after being told of the seriousness of the offence opted to speak to duty advocate Jim Travers.

Groves was asked if he intended to pursue an argument of post-driving consumption but Mr Travers said that he accepted the reading and facts as presented by the prosecutor.

Mr Travers told the court that Groves was living in rented accommodation in Port St Mary and had intended to find a permanent home here.

But he said that he no longer worked at the company he had been employed and was subsequently moving back to England.

Deputy High Bailiff Jayne Hughes said that she was reluctant to grant bail and was considering remanding Groves in custody.

Mr Travers said: ’Mr Groves’ wife has attended court with details of their address in Wiltshire. He has been on gardening leave from his previous employer. They have terminated the lease in Port St Mary early and are booked on the ferry tonight. He doesn’t believe he has any future employment in the Isle of Man. He could have kept schtum today. He ought to be given the benefit of the doubt.’

Bail was granted in the sum of £500, as well as the surety of £1,000, and Groves was allowed to leave the island.