A drink-driver has won back his licence early after a five-year ban.

Vasile Ciprian Moraru, of King Edward Close, Onchan, was banned from driving in October 2017.

But although magistrates would not reinstate his licence immediately, they did agree to end the ban in June next year.

Moraru must still pass an extended test before driving again after that date.

Prosecuting advocate Barry Swain told the court how, on October 29, 2017, the 33-year-old was driving a BMW in Douglas when he collided with parked cars in Castlemona Avenue.

Police spoke to Moraru at his home after the incident and he was said to be smelling of alcohol.

He failed a breathalyser test with a reading of 101. The legal limit is 35.

Defence advocate Kate Alexander said that her client had completed the drink-driving rehabilitation course.

Ms Alexander said that Moraru was asking for his licence to be returned early because he was struggling to gain and maintain employment without it.

’He was working as a chef,’ said the advocate. ’That involved late hours and he was struggling to get to and from work.

’He is now a self-employed gardener but is reliant on public transport. It has limited the work he can take on.’

Magistrates’ chair Lisa Horton said that they were sympathetic to Moraru’s situation but pointed out that he had received the mandatory minimum ban for the offence.