A 61-year-old man who was arrested for being drunk twice in two days has been fined £200.

Eight-time island golf champion Gary Wilson was found lying on the pavement at Ramsey bus station.

He admitted being drunk in a public place but the following day he was arrested again after police were called to a bus outside the Manx Arms in Onchan where Wilson was unable to walk.

In relation to that he admitted an offence of being drunk and incapable.

This was despite him already being the subject of ban forbidding him from entering licensed premises or buying or being sold alcohol until December.

Prosecuting advocate Rebecca Cubbon told the court that police were called to Ramsey bus station on April 5 after reports of a man lying on the ground drunk.

When officers arrived they found Wilson in a state of partial undress and unable to walk.

He was taken home but the following day police were again called, this time to a bus at the Manx Arms.

Wilson was said to be smelling of alcohol, slurring his words and needed help to walk so he was again taken home by police.

Defence advocate Peter Taylor pointed out that his client had arrived at court smartly turned out and sober.

The advocate said: ’He got himself into drink again. One drink and unfortunately he can’t stop.

’He was on a probation order and was doing very well, attending Motiv8 meetings. But you will note that the timing of these offences coincided with lockdown and he relapsed fairly quickly.’

Mr Taylor said that banning Wilson from buying alcohol himself would probably not make any difference.

’He knows one drink and he ends up in this situation,’ said the advocate. ’He is deeply ashamed of how he gets in these situations.’

Clerk to the justices Stephen Tucker said that the Drug and Alcohol Team (DAT) had stated that licensing bans on people who were alcohol-dependent were counter-productive.

Magistrates decided not to extend Wilson’s banning order and also ordered him to pay £50 prosecution costs.