A drink-driver from Douglas has been fined £900 and banned from driving for two years.

Ian Philip Hawkes, of Belmont Terrace, admitted the offence after failing a breathalyser test with a reading of 72.

High Bailiff Jayne Hughes also ordered the 43-year-old to retake his test at the end of his ban.

Prosecuting advocate Roger Kane told the court that Hawkes was seen by police while he was driving a silver Ford Focus on the Cooil Road in Braddan on July 4.

He was said to have swerved in the road and was subsequently stopped by police.

Hawkes was carrying two passengers and was described as slurring his words as he told police he had swerved because he was trying to close a window which had a broken mechanism.

After failing a roadside breathalyser test he was arrested and taken to police headquarters where he failed a further test with the reading of 72. The legal limit is 35.

Defence advocate Peter Taylor said that his client had no previous convictions for motoring offences.

The advocate said: ’Mr Hawkes had been drinking overnight. He went to bed for several hours but then was asked to give somebody a lift to Anagh Coar. If he had known he was over the limit he wouldn’t have driven. He was, as many people are, mistaken.

’He was a driver before this so he has lost his job now unfortunately.

’There was no accident and nobody appears to have been put at risk because of his driving.’

High Bailiff Mrs Hughes told Hawkes: ’You risked your own health and safety as well as that of your passengers and other road users.’

He was also ordered to pay £125 costs which he will pay along with the fine at £10 per week.