A drink-driver from Castletown has been fined £800 and banned from driving for three years.

Peter Gary Oakley, of Malew Street, failed a breathalyser test with a reading of 76. The legal limit is 35.

High Bailiff Jayne Hughes also ordered 55-year-old Oakley to retake his test at the end of the ban and attend a drink-driving rehabilitation course.

Prosecuting advocate Roger Kane told the court that police saw Oakley driving on Alexander Drive in Castletown on October 9 at 8.40am.

He was said to have gone through a red light, which he disputed, saying it was on amber.

When stopped, he was said to be smelling of alcohol and told police he had been drinking the night before.

After failing a roadside breathalyser test he was arrested and taken to police headquarters when he produced the reading of 76.

The court heard that he has a previous drink-driving conviction in 1987.

Oakley opted to represent himself in court and said that he had been drinking a ’fair bit’ of vodka the night before.

He said he was going to work when police saw him but had now lost his job as a self-employed courier delivery driver due to his drink-driving arrest.

Oakley told the court that he drank half a litre of vodka every day but said he had not drunk for about a week now.

A probation report said that Oakley now intended to sell his van and had previously attend Motiv8 meetings but was no longer attending.

The report said he was not suitable for community service due to health issues.

High Bailiff Mrs Hughes told Oakley: ’You were more than twice the limit the morning after. You do probably need some help as far as alcohol is concerned.’

He was also ordered to pay £125 prosecution costs and was given until November 20 to pay the fine and costs.